what should your heart rate be in a good workout

[pattikas]

Hi to all my fellow fitbit lovers. I have been using the fitbit one since the beginning of jan i got it for xmas along with a treadmill and what i need to know is what is a good heart rate  when you are doing your workout ? Mine when really going good is usually around 170 to 189 is that to high ? Would appreicate anyone who might have any knowledge to this question.Have a wonderful night.And keep on stepping !

[Colinm39]

This link will help you..  Heart Rate Zones

[sammsll]

I've often wondered the same thing. I use the one in our gym at work and for fat burning it starts slowing me down at 125 to recover heart rate but I don't feel tired, and feel like I can push the heart rate to 140. I will usually take my hands off the sensors so I can speed the treadmill back up. But it will keep flashing that it's slowing me down because of my heart rate. It's quite annoying actually.

[Dominique]

It all depends on your age and your fitness level. Your maximum heart rate is usually considered to be 220 minus your age. Let's stay you were 30, it would be 190. It could be higher if you were very fit, but since you just got a Fitbit, chances are you haven't exercised much lately and want to improve your fitness. So 179 to 189 would be 89-99% of your max HR: you would normally be running at full speed to reach that level and probably wouldn't be able to keep it for very long unless you are very endurant. If you are older than 30, not particularly fit and you not running at full speed, I would say 170-189 sounds worringly high.

Here is another link about HR zones in addition to the one supplied by Colin:

http://blog.digifit.com/2012/07/why-should-you-know-your-personal-heart-rate-zones/

It argues that the standard formula 220 - age actually only applies to a minority. I found this to be true when determining my own max HR with the Cooper running test (one of the fitness assessment tests found in the Digifit app). It was 184, whereas the standard formula would have predicted 168.

Something you may also want to take into consideration is how reliable your treadmill's heart rate monitor is, assuming it's what you used (as opposed to a HRM worn on your body, for instance a chest strap).

[Dominique]

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@sammsll wrote:

I've often wondered the same thing. I use the one in our gym at work and for fat burning it starts slowing me down at 125 to recover heart rate but I don't feel tired, and feel like I can push the heart rate to 140. I will usually take my hands off the sensors so I can speed the treadmill back up. But it will keep flashing that it's slowing me down because of my heart rate. It's quite annoying actually.

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Maybe it's because you are in the US or in another sue-happy country and the gym owner / treadmill manufacturer doesn't want you to die of a heart attack in the middle of your workout on the treadmill

[pattikas]

Dominque. thanks you for the info. And I am not in my 30's more like 50's but not in to poor of shape. I was walking alot outdoors till it got to cold to walk. and i chase after an 18 month old. I always try and stay busy because sitting around or laying around makes me hurt. so the more active i am the better. and now with the treadmill and the fitbit now i am really getting back to where i was a couple of years ago. I just never knew what a safe HR was. but i did find your link helpful and your advise. so thank you. Happy stepping to you and have a wonderful weekend