I’ve read a few articles about your HR on the bike, most if not all want you to stay in zone 1 for a certain amount of miles… Now my zone 1 is 111-138, which would feel CRAZY slow 13-15mph on flat land on the bike, as i am sure it is for most people. Am i reading these articles right they want you to go crazy slow at first (30-35 miles) then hit zone 2 and so on. Is the real goal to find a decent speed but stay in your (my) zone 1.
This whole bike HR really confuses me.
thanks in advance
You are probably using the 220-age route which really isn’t a great way to figure out HR zones. I test for lactate threshold and figure zones from there.
Also, HR is just an indicator of intensity and should not be your only source of info to determine training paces or intensities.
Let us know if you want to hear more.
jaretj
Z1 is pretty much the low end of things. The lower end of Z1 is pretty much recovery stuff. As you can see by your range 111-138 is a HUGE gap. At 111 you’re probably not even working, while 138 you’re probably putting in a bit of effort.
On flat, straight long course I typically try and stay in the upper end of Z1 to lower end of Z2.
As the other poster said try to use some other indicators as well, effort, pace etc. HR is a good tool but not an end all.
~Matt
Thanks for the replies… I didn’t use the 220-age, i got my LT done… My MAX (LT) is 170, so zone 1 65%-81% is 111-138.
Thanks for the answers, i guess i’ll have to stay in mid to upper zone 1…
i think gordo explains it as good as anyone. start with the four pillars article on the top left