Here's a question that makes my brain cook...
I recently started swimming again after a long layoff, combining swimming with other forms of aerobic exercise. Given my age, my target heart rate should be around 141-155. Yet when I swim at the pace I think I should go and check my pulse, it's always over 160. I don't feel chest pains or anything, and swimming slower feels next to impossible (not that I'm that speedy these days, anyway).
How much should I be concerned about this? Will my heart rate drop as I get in better shape?
Sparky
Parents
Former Member
Hey Adam,
If you used the 220 minus your age method to find your target workout heart rate, this is only a generalization. Every person is different as is each sport, the 141 to 155 range might work well for running (or may not) but swimming, cycling, rowing whatever you may have a different range because of the different muscle groups you are using. The best way to find out your max is to do a sport specific stress test. For swimming, swim a couple of all out 50's with a minute or so rest in between each and see where your heart rate is after 3 or 4 swims you should be just about pegged, once there then you can figure out your work loads (70%-80%). Hope this helps, good luck.
Jeff
Hey Adam,
If you used the 220 minus your age method to find your target workout heart rate, this is only a generalization. Every person is different as is each sport, the 141 to 155 range might work well for running (or may not) but swimming, cycling, rowing whatever you may have a different range because of the different muscle groups you are using. The best way to find out your max is to do a sport specific stress test. For swimming, swim a couple of all out 50's with a minute or so rest in between each and see where your heart rate is after 3 or 4 swims you should be just about pegged, once there then you can figure out your work loads (70%-80%). Hope this helps, good luck.
Jeff
