resting heart rate

[MichH]

OK, so with having a cold last week (first time in ages!), I found myself in a position trying to decide if I was too sick to exercise! Problem is, I didn't know my resting heart rate to see if it was elevated by 10 beats a minute!

 

So, now that I think I'm better , i'm now trying to calculate resting heart rate.

 

I am still young, and I think my heart rate naturally runs higher than other people (either that or I hang around with too many old people!), but the max heart rate I've seen is 192 on one occassion and 199 on another.

 

I've tested for resting HR the last two days in the following manner: Wake up (alarm clock, skrik my HR up!), empty bladder, put on HRM, climb back into bed and run the HRM for 5 minutes. So... do I take the lowest reading that I've seen, do I take the average, or have I made an elementary error in how to read resting heart rate?!

 

Thanks for advice!

MichH2007-05-24 08:52:50

[AndreZA]

I have taken mine at night when I go to bed and it was lower then in the morning. Two weeks ago I got it down to 35 with some very concentrated breathing. But my morning heart rate before I even get out of bed is 41.

 

 

[Chilli Pepper]

According to Bicycling website:  Follow the "above the neck" rule.  If the illness is above the neck, go ride.  If it's below, ride the couch...

 

I've also seen that taking my RHR at night before falling asleep gives me a lower value than taking it in the morning.  I am definitely not in rest mode in the mornings - thinking about work and everything that needs to get done!

[Thyolo]

Hi Mich

 

I'd say, as long as you are consistent in the time/place you measure then you'll pick up any funnies such as a cold coming.

 

I think we're a bit obsessive (no, really I do) and resting HR no. becomes a target like everything else - "mine's 45, hah beat you - 42".

 

I was very affronted at the Virgin fitness assessment when she had me sitting down and rounded the 68 up to 70. "

 

"But, but, but when I'm in bed in deep Zen mode it's 53! - Go on write 53".

 

So, like always weighing after a &^% and before brekkie, find a time when the no. makes you feel good and repeat.

 

My 2cs - or 3.

 

 

[MichH]

Thanks Mampara for making me feel like mine is through the roof!

 

CP, it WAS above the neck, but good thing I had the HRM, no effort at all and my HR was spiking!

 

Thyolo, I think I'll use it to measure when I'm sick, but what do I use for working out HR zones

MichH2007-05-24 10:09:54

[MichH]

Oh, for those of you who HAVE to know, it was 58. Yep, 58 was the lowest I could find!!

[Thyolo]

For HRZs etc. it looks like you could use 58 then?

 

 

Did I mention mine was 53?

 

 

....ok it's 56, some of the time too.

[MichH]

Hehehehe! So I don;t have to feel like I'm the odd one out! I'm sure I'm "normal" and it's all these other freaks that have RHR's that are too low!

 

Thanks for all the advice guys, gonna go work out my zones...

[Canaris]

Chilli pepper, if there is a co pilot on the couch, riding the couch can be as streneous as riding the bike......

[pastapouch]

If you don't feel well, don't ride. Rest is always good. I did it once, didn't feel that well, didn't feel that bad either, and I came second to a two week flu spell...

[1hill@aTime]

mine is between 52 / 56, this morning was 56, don't feel sick or anything maybe just need more rest, i think yours is normal oh yes i'm 31.

[MichH]

Yay! I'm normal!!

 

Cervelo, I think we all exercise whilst sick at least once (some of us take longer to learn the lesson!). Mine was Midmar Mile about 3 years ago, felt almost better so I swam, came down with Bronchitis after that...