Heart Rate?

[M_Campbell]

Hi, i've been going to the gym a lot in maybe the last 6 months or so, i do around half an hour of steady jogging at a decent speed to burn fat, and work my cardio on other days a lot more too!
I've been keeping an eye on my heart rate from the sensors on the machine, my Resting heart rate starts at around 70, and if im doing a heavy sprint, very close to 200
I'm quite worried that my RHR starts so high as i am quite fit, and have a decent diet, i life a lot of weights aswell as my jogging/running, would that have any effect on it?
Thank you
Mick

[Dr Arora]

Hi, you need not worry about your resting heart rate until it is within normal range that is 60 to 100. Sprinting usually causes a heartrate to shoot up to 200 again which is normal. So I don't see a real reason to worry about heartrate at rest or even during exercise. It is true that machine sensors are not very accurate. Have nice time exercising.

[deadgamegrrl]

I agree w/the others.  RHR needs to be taken in the morning, before you get up at all to be accurate.  If you are lifting weights before you do your cardio, your heart rate will spike during the repetitions and, although it will drop when you are done, it is probably not going to return to anything approaching true resting level.
You may want to try doing interval training to burn more fat, alternating sprints at about 85% of your max heart rate with intervals of a more moderate pace.  The latest fitness research supports interval training as the most efficient way to get aerobically fit and lose weight as well.
Good luck!

[Jaquta]

Just the excitement of getting on the equipment and even walking to it could be enough to raise your heart rate.

I'm not that fit at the moment and my RHR (taken in the morning) is 40 bpm.  (Is around 24-30 when fit.)  If I walk up the road before I run my HR will increase.  Depending on how fast I'm walking, etc it could go up to 120 bpm.  At the end of my run my HR is about 160+.  Depends on what I'm doing.  Hills/ speed, etc will elevate it more than an easy run.

Some say it is best to burn fat at a slower speed.  The harder you work the more calories you burn though, so overall one would expect greater weight loss.
I joined weight watchers a couple of years ago and they said that one hour of exercise was good for weight loss.  ??

Lifting weights shouldn't affect your HR too much.  From memory, weight training makes your heart larger.  Being muscle bound (like really over-doing the weights) could possibly raise it.  ??

Not sure about all my comments.  gymdandee had some good advice.  Don't trust all the machine sensors.  A heart rate monitor could be a better option.  RHR in the morning can be a better indicator of fitness, over-training, etc

[gymdandee]

You can't trust the machines sensor! buy a good sensor. next time you awaken before getting out of bed check your heart rate have your watch at your bedside so you don't have to get out of bed. then repost your resting heart rate.

For an adult, a normal resting heart rate ranges from 60 to 100 beats a minute. For a well-trained athlete, a normal resting heart rate may be closer to 40 beats a minute. For healthy adults, a lower heart rate at rest generally implies more efficient heart function and better cardiovascular fitness.

To measure your heart rate, simply check your pulse. With your palm facing upward, place two fingers on the thumb side of your wrist — or place your index and third fingers on your neck to the side of your windpipe. When you feel your pulse, count the number of beats in 10 seconds. Time yourself with a timer or the second hand on a clock or watch. Multiply this number by 6 to determine how many times your heart beats in one minute.

Keep in mind that many factors can influence heart rate, including:
Activity level, Fitness level, Air temperature, Body position (standing up or lying down, for example), Emotions, Body size, Medication use or supplements.