How long can you sustain max HR?

[Grayskull]

So i'm keen to know for just how long you/one can exert at Max HR before you "cut out"?

 

Anyone blacked out before?

[pe3nguin]

10 seconds? 30 seconds? 60 seconds? Any longer than that and I doubt you are hitting your max.

Black out? No, I start bleeding from the eyes long before that.

[Patchelicious]

So i'm keen to know for just how long you/one can exert at Max HR before you "cut out"?

 

Anyone blacked out before?

My max is 207, never hit that for more than a few brief moments.

 

However, I have averaged more than 200 for 10mins in a TT once.

[bleedToWin]

My max is 207, never hit that for more than a few brief moments.

 

However, I have averaged more than 200 for 10mins in a TT once.

That's insane!

I myself have not come within 7 bpm of my max for many years, let alone sustain that for 10min... (ageing smageing, I'm just unfit!)

[Grayskull]

So how do you gauge your true max?
If i look at all my rides, based on the HR data, I usually max out at 186-188

[bleedToWin]

So how do you gauge your true max?

If i look at all my rides, based on the HR data, I usually max out at 186-188

Simple way with personal HR monitor:

1. Be really really fit.
2. Do a 8min properly hard interval (sustained >180 for you).
3. End the interval with a flat out sprint (preferably slightly uphill) until your breathing / lactate clearance can't keep up.
4. Check HR data for peak number.
5. If your legs faded, refer to point 1.

My method: Use data generated with the above steps back in '08

[New2tri]

So how do you gauge your true max?

If i look at all my rides, based on the HR data, I usually max out at 186-188

Generally these types of tests you do on a trainer, start at 24kk/h then increase by 2km/h every minute. If you look at your hr graph it should show a nice steady increase until you hit your absolute max. I've done this test a few times and always get around 180 max. Max in a race sprint was 184...so pretty close.

[New2tri]

My max is 207, never hit that for more than a few brief moments.

 

However, I have averaged more than 200 for 10mins in a TT once.

^^^^^^ same here.

[BaGearA]

Well Max is relative, as i understand it

 

My coach always broke it down to Max is what we do in the XCO races , and for brief moments you would go super max.

 

I.e. my ave. Hr for SA Champs was 187 but in the start sprint I reached 213 and touched 200 throughout the race.

[Halfdoesyn]

My max is 207, never hit that for more than a few brief moments.

 

However, I have averaged more than 200 for 10mins in a TT once.

[Jamessolomon]

The highest I have ever recorded my heart rate at is 174, is this normal?

 

Also, if I do get to that level it wont be for more than a minute or two

[HOEKVLAG]

I can't maintain my max for more than a couple of seconds, but I increase it ever so often when almost dying during races...

[bodger]

You only want to see your max HR during training / strava hunting or a short event such as a TT.

 

If you are able to stay at your max for more than a few seconds then you are either ill or are lying to yourself about your real max HR.

 

Its definitely easier to hit a higher HR on a trainer. Mine is 187 out doors and 190 indoors.

[Mamil]

Same here - I am 47 yrs old though and this is normal for me. 

 

I can sustain it for just as many beats as it takes the monitor to read 174.

 

 

The highest I have ever recorded my heart rate at is 174, is this normal?

 

Also, if I do get to that level it wont be for more than a minute or two

[KidCharlemagne]

Well, you could never black out 'cause your brain will force your body to stop before any damage is done. You know, linked to the "central governor" theory. So, when you take stimulants like caffeine or some mind altering drug, you fool your brain into thinking all is okay and hence you're able to exercise/compete harder for longer, but not that hard that you pass out.

['Dale]

SNIP

However, I have averaged more than 200 for 10mins in a TT once.

Moer ????????