Any heart-rate monitor experts out there?

[Jjcrackers]

I have just bought myself a heart rate monitor in order to push myself a little harder (think I'm getting a bit lazy on the spin bike). If I do the calculations (220 minus age) I should have a max heart rate of 180.

Not a chance...

This week I have pushed myself to the point of being sick on the spin bike and could only reach 165. Then I thought it might be the HR monitor so borrowed someone else's and could only reach 164. My final test was to get on the treadmill after a spin class and sprint (15kmph for a min) several times. Still 165

I'm guessing this is my max heart rate (or prob 170 if the natural reserve kicks in). Can anyone shed any light on why this might be? My blood pressure is low too

In order for your heart to beat at it's maximum rate the rest of your body needs to be trained enough to allow it to get there. Running outdoors mine will get up to 190, cycling or on the treadmill it doesn't go over 150 ish.

The formula you mention is just a rough guide, but unless your cardiovascular fitness is at a peak my guess is that it would go higher if your fitness level increased ?

sorry that was a bit garbled, I will try and explain better later if it makes no sense to you Jj!

that makes sense. I will try it running outdoors

what I mean is that your heart may not be able to express it's maximum capacity unless the various other physiological systems are also highly trained enough to work flat out.
In particular your aerobic threshold may not be high enough.

It wasnt until I started running harder for longer that I saw my heart rate go much higher, for my age my max hr should be around 170, the highest Ive seen it is 192

Thanks. Good to know that I can push myself.

If you are feeling sick whilst training you are pushing yourself, but to push yourself further and harder to get your heart rate up yo a "rough average" figure maybe not safe.

Why not go and see your gp and get checked over or at least talk to the gym staff before pushing yourself whilst trying yo reach a particular heart rate beat.

Better to be safe than sorry.

What I would do though is take your heart rate every morning before you get out of bed, it would be good to know what this is over two weeks. Your resting heart rate may also be low?