I really like the idea of running slow to build up an aerobic base. But what I have a problem with is the idea of using age to calculate the Maximum Aerobic Heart Rate. This assumes that everyone’s heart rate ranges are the same as everyone else’s of the same age. That is ridiculous! I have had my heart rate up as high as 193, and I think it might still go a little higher. According to one popular formula, my Max Heart Rate should be about 177 (220-age). That’s a pretty big difference. Supposedly these wont change from working out. Also different people have different resting heart rates. And these will lower as people get into better condition. I just don’t like the cookie cutter formulas that use age. Using the Maffetone formula, my max aerobic heart rate would be 142 (180-43+5). What I have been using instead is 150. I came up with this number using the Karvonen Method (MHR-RHR)*.70+RHR (193-48)*.70+48. So I try to keep my heart rate for most of my workouts below 150. I find that I am starting to be able to go faster and longer while still keeping my heart rate below 150. So I like Phil Maffetone’s ideas other than his method of coming up with the numbers.

Posted by Rob in Whatever on September 21st, 2006 |