measured max heart rate vs calculated one

Calculated MHR is only for the average person, smack dab in the middle of the bell curve.

Your recorded value is either your true MHR or under it. Google up on Max heart rate tests and find out for sure.

technically your max heartrate is quite a bit higher than that...

The one on your timex is probably a bit closer to what to use for running rates though.

Ignore maxHR - both measured and calculated - for setting training zones. Read the link provided by Donto, complete a LTHR test and set your zones from there.

Shane

Neither!

First: Your HRM isn't always reliable, I've had readings from anywhere between 30 to 250 during a workout, and not just a few spikes but over some time.

Second: Calculated max isn't really max, at least not as in, if your heart beat faster you're gonna die. There are lot's of formulas out there, all of which makes some assumptions and try to estimate some "max" for the average Joe given some physical data, sex, age, weight, height, etc. and you'll likely find they've made some rounding here and there to make it easy to work with, and a "good enough" first guess.

The lactate threshold test (LT) mentioned is a physical test and much more useful. The point is by experiment to determine your 100% (or max) effort level, that is the limit where your metabolism remains aerobic.

The point of this max or 100% is to relate your HR to your metabolism, and set some zones where your metabolism is dominated by fat or carb consumption. Targeting your training in these zones you can become more efficient/faster at converting fat or carbs to energy thus improving your performance.

BR

I recorded this 200bpm after running 3.22km with a moderate tempo, then running 190m with fast pace and finally running/climbing a 90m stretch on a sandy surface as hard as I could: http://i.imgur.com/wwRFM6B.pngI mean I could not hold this pace for another second and after reaching the top of the climb I basically collapsed. I guess this 200bpm should be fairly accurate maxHR?


Thanks to everybody for suggesting the lactate threshold test! I wasn't aware of this.

Edited by m4rtin 2013-06-24 6:52 PM