I recently bought a heart rate monitor (Polar H10, can recommend) to use with the conditioning days in GSC Gen 2. Average heart rate for the 20 minute test was 155 bpm, so zone 1 is 104-118 and zone 2 is 118-130.
While poking around in the Polar app I came across a fitness test. Best fitness test ever, you just lie down and don’t move. I’m guessing that it estimates your VO2 max by using your resting heart rate and your max heart rate based on your age. The app then sets its own heart rate zones, and they are a bit different than the ones based on the 20 minute test. The most recent test I ran put my VO2 max at 67, and set zone 1 at 90-107 and zone 2 at 107-125. I’m 42, if that makes a difference.
To get to the point, which heart rate zones are more likely to be accurate for use during conditioning? The tested and measured, or the calculated?
Assuming that you put forth a solid effort on the field test, I really prefer using that vs. any sort of predictive numbers based on vo2max, resting HR, or similar. I think the field test creates the most accurate zone profile, with the caveat being that the profile may not be as valid across all types of exercise.
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Okay, I’ll stick with the HR zones based on the test. And go harder on the next one. Thanks Jordan.
Hey.
I had a slight follow up question to your point about the field test result not being as valid across all modalities. My plan is to do a combination of mostly running but some biking, however in my experience running at for example 150bpm feels quite easy, but 150bpm is quite a lot harder when biking.
My plan was to maybe use like 90% of the field test heart rate for biking. But perhaps you have another tip that could also work?
Thank you
Regards,
Isak
What is this field test that is mentioned?
I had a slight follow up question to your point about the field test result not being as valid across all modalities. My plan is to do a combination of mostly running but some biking, however in my experience running at for example 150bpm feels quite easy, but 150bpm is quite a lot harder when biking.
My plan was to maybe use like 90% of the field test heart rate for biking. But perhaps you have another tip that could also work?
I would do the field test on a bike and use that in this instance. If it’s a little easy for the run, that would be fine.
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The field test is described in detail in both of the General Strength and Conditioning programs, and briefly in our heart rate zone calculator.
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I imagine there is some trial and error with this when trying to find a hard pace you can sustain for 20minutes
I suppose it would depend on your experience with the modality. I use the C2 all the time, so I have a good idea of the pace I can sustain for 20 minutes. On a bike or a treadmill? No idea.
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