HRM - Which One? Polar?

[Deleted User]

Good advice from Nick there, Ratcatcher!
...Not that I have shares either...

[Deleted User]

I feel like avery poor cousin coming in on this thread and having a very basic Polar A5 but it does the job for me. I just wonder how everybody manages to estblish their max heart rate. I know the simple calculation of 220 - age but this seems to give me a very low max. I also know the 3 X 3 minute system but am never sure whetehr i have REALLY gone at full effort or whether i am slacking at some stage.

For the record, i am 36 and amd fairly fit (3.24 marathon). The closest i can get to a max is about 192. Does this sound right?

[Deleted User]

Yes it does sound right... Your HRmax has absolutely no bearing on your performances (it is not because it is high that you will be able to go fast). Mine for instance is 179 (2:27 marathon). Oh and I am only 32, not 41 as 220-age would suggest! Pay no attention to your HRmax.
Also, also, provided you were rested on that day, you will probably have gone full effort on you max HR test (you can normally sustain that max for a couple of mins).

[Deleted User]

Thanks Nick. When you say 'pay no attention to HR Max', I take it you mean don't worry about. Surely i need to use it to work out effort on my runs?

[Deleted User]

Yes, sorry: do not worry about it....

[Deleted User]

Ta, i think i was just being obtuse