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
I want to address this question in a more personal way:
Originally posted by Sparky
Will my heart rate drop as I get in better shape?
Probably, if my own experience is any indication.
Your story sounds familiar. When I first returned to the pool, my heart rate would jump up to at least 160 and stay there throughout my workout. As I grew stronger and gained endurance, however, my heart rate dropped. Now it stays consistently in the 140s during my normal workout. I can get it to go higher, but it feels as though I have to work a helluva lot harder to get there than when I first started.
I too wondered whether I should worry about the high heart rate and whether I might damage my heart by working it so hard. A triathlete friend laughed about that and said that I would most likely pass out before exceeding what my heart could handle. Since I never felt as though I would pass out, I dismissed those concerns.
I'm guessing yours will drop as you improve. You might also keep track of your resting heart rate, blood pressure and how quickly you recover from your workout. My resting heart rate and blood pressure have both dropped considerably. I think as long as you keep swimming consistently, at least three or four times a week and at least 45 minutes, you'll see results. Just be patient and diligent.
I want to address this question in a more personal way:
Originally posted by Sparky
Will my heart rate drop as I get in better shape?
Probably, if my own experience is any indication.
Your story sounds familiar. When I first returned to the pool, my heart rate would jump up to at least 160 and stay there throughout my workout. As I grew stronger and gained endurance, however, my heart rate dropped. Now it stays consistently in the 140s during my normal workout. I can get it to go higher, but it feels as though I have to work a helluva lot harder to get there than when I first started.
I too wondered whether I should worry about the high heart rate and whether I might damage my heart by working it so hard. A triathlete friend laughed about that and said that I would most likely pass out before exceeding what my heart could handle. Since I never felt as though I would pass out, I dismissed those concerns.
I'm guessing yours will drop as you improve. You might also keep track of your resting heart rate, blood pressure and how quickly you recover from your workout. My resting heart rate and blood pressure have both dropped considerably. I think as long as you keep swimming consistently, at least three or four times a week and at least 45 minutes, you'll see results. Just be patient and diligent.
