MikeOK

I checked mine about a month ago. I climbed a long steep hill until I literally was seeing stars. My heart rate got up to 163, so I figure 165 is likely my max. That works out to almost exactly 220-age. Back when I was in my 30's my max was 20 beats higher than the formula 220-age.

Sal Bandini

186 is the highest I've recorded in the last few weeks.

The formula is meaningless for me.

bruce19

I have no idea. I don't use a HRM.

MikeOK

Thanks for adding that pertinent information to the thread

HAMMER MAN

Now it is 165. Tho I've hit 173 in the past. When I was younger, I'm 65 now I hit 195-210 depending on rides and hills

bruce19

I'm here to help.

caloso

I pegged 191bpm a few weeks ago. Turned 50 this year. 220-age has never come close to my observed maxHR, although it's pretty close to my LTHR.

ironwood

I don't know. Its rather difficult to count my pulse and ride hard or run at the same time. How do you do it?

wphamilton

I've been using 183, but I haven't made any special effort to check lately. I have higher HR than that frequently while running though, almost aerobically, so it could be way off.

With an idea where my lactate threshold is, I think that's quite a bit more useful than knowing the maximum.

OldTryGuy

Only get to 171 now at 67yo, a few of years ago managed 182 and almost puked. EKG resting HR was 32bpm 2 years ago.

caloso

Heart rate monitor.



HR data is collected during the ride, through my Garmin. You can set the Garmin (or whatever device you're using) to display real-time HR but I just download it later.

MikeOK

I think mine is a little low at 165. But I can't imagine going much harder than I did last time I checked. The reason I think it is actually higher is that on all my rides I will stay 90% or more of my time in zone 4. Even on my easy days it stays that high.

MikeOK

Yeah I don't watch mine while I ride either. My ride app has a voice feature and I have it set to speak my avg and max hr among other things every half mile. I keep the speed and distance window open while I'm riding.

Bsgs87

I'm 68 years old and recently did an evaluation through a sports group and mine was determined to be 167. This seems to work out well during my rides when monitoring hr zones. If I would use 220 minus my age it would be 152.

tony2v

At 59 yrs, I usually exceed 180bpm (no stars) during the Saturday B group ride. On the velodrome I don't wear a HRM and see stars during some efforts. I'm more concerned how quickly my heart rate going back to the 140s (my normal effort level).

SylvainG

I'm 54. Hit 178 last Winter while doing a stress test on a stationary bike.

caloso

Correct.

Carbonfiberboy 

At 72 y.o., about 153. LT 138. Resting 46, standing as low as 54.

BlazingPedals

I hit 178 a few weeks ago. That's my new high -- ever. My former MHR was about 12 years ago, 172. Both were in in the recumbent position, which seems to be about 10 bpm lower than if I were vertical.

(I'm 62)

jppe

The highest I've seen was 194. I was on a trainer and really trying to amp it up.

KenR

170 at 63 years old

bowzette

Around 168-170. I haven't tried to find out in last couple of years. I'm 71. But max HR is meaningless. The pros are all over the place re their max HR. Big hearts beat slower and smaller hearts beat faster. It isn't a sign of fitness but of genetics. As you become more fit the harder it is for the legs to drive the HR to max. Max HR will vary with the sport. The more muscles that are engaged the higher the max HR is for that sport. Running is higher than cycling and cross county skiing is higher than running. For cycling you have to have well trained limited muscles for good performance and driving the HR high. Before cycling I was a descent runner. I was part of a national study of big cyclist v small cyclist. My max HR on the bike as a runner was only around 145 bpm. Several years later of cycling, really hard training rides, and racing my HR while racing crits was around 190 bpm because the legs could drive the HR up. But as I stated comparing one riders max HR to another is meaningless. Lowering you HR at FTP or LT means a lot. Using a HR monitor and training zones based upon your max HR is useful.

Stick69

Several years ago I could sneak up on 185 on a step mill before I had to go sit in a corner with my head between my knees.

When I started riding this spring I hit 190 charging up a small incline. I didn't feel light headed at 190 but I generally stay under 180 now just to be safe. We road up the same incline yesterday and I peaked at 170. Either I am getting fitter or my Stoker was sandbagging when I hit 190.

We have estimated her max at 170 and mine at 190. If she stays about 20 below my rate we seem to feel about the same at the end of a ride.

Yes everyone is different. My heart rate is more sensitive to cadence than her and her's is more sensitive to heat than mine.

When we met in highschool she was two years older than me but now she is younger than me. I guess she ages more slowly because of the slower heart rate.

1989Pre 

225 last time I used a H.R.M (2009). Achieved while running uphill after an injury lay-off. Telephone lines were overhead, so who knows. R.H.R: 40.
I'm out of shape right now because of knee injury, but am getting back into running in late Oct.
My max while cycling has never been over 170.

George

I'm 77 and I get mine up to 170.