Most of what I have read tells me that for weight loss and cardio training I should keep my heart rate between 75% - 85%.

I have a HR monitor, a Axiom HR 600. I haven't used it much so far and I don't know if I'm doing something wrong.

I run 3 - 4 times a week usually around 30 mins. I don't run fast, but I keep a decent pace and I feel like I work up a good sweat and I'm pretty beat by the end of it.

Lately I've started to use my HR Monitor I noticed that my heart rate is around 97% about 10 mins into my run. I've tried slowing down, even walking at some points, but I am left unsatisfied and don't feel like I'm really working out.

That doesn't seem right to me. Any advice, insight?

Most of what I have read tells me that for weight loss and cardio training I should keep my heart rate between 75% - 85%.

I have a HR monitor, a Axiom HR 600. I haven't used it much so far and I don't know if I'm doing something wrong.

I run 3 - 4 times a week usually around 30 mins. I don't run fast, but I keep a decent pace and I feel like I work up a good sweat and I'm pretty beat by the end of it.

Lately I've started to use my HR Monitor I noticed that my heart rate is around 97% about 10 mins into my run. I've tried slowing down, even walking at some points, but I am left unsatisfied and don't feel like I'm really working out.

That doesn't seem right to me. Any advice, insight?


Try focusing on your breathing. I have always been told that if I can't keep my breathes in step (inhale for four steps, exhale for four steps) then I should break out of the run to a fast walk until I can get the breathing back in control. But see if someone else gives advice that is more in the know than I. I chucked running for yoga, been happier ever since.

I guess my question is this:

If I don't feel like I'm working out hard, but I'm keeping my HR within the 70 - 80% range, am I doing any good for myself?

I am 6'1", 193-195 (flucuate like a madman). Not sure about bodyfat %, but I would guess between 19-21%.

I run often, watch what I eat, but I keep maintaining at this weight level and I have this gut. I just want to get toned...a six-pack would be nice, but I've never been able to burn the tummy off. I know that some of it is genetic, but there has to be a way through it to get the body I want.

I think as you get into better shape you will find that it will become much harder to get your heart rate up and into a specific zone. Do whichever cardio you enjoy the most. The one you enjoy is the one you will most likely stick with.

More important than doing cardio no matter what type is your diet. Get your diet in order first if you want a flat stomach. Cardio really is supplemental in my book for a six pack.

I guess my question is this:

If I don't feel like I'm working out hard, but I'm keeping my HR within the 70 - 80% range, am I doing any good for myself?



To answer the question, yes, in regards to cardio you are. One of the awesome links (I forget where) explains how at that level you are burning more fat than muscle. So like the badgolfer's answer, concentrate on your diet to fix the tummy. Read what the forums say and especially look at the threads where people post their diets for critiques, awesome info in all those.

You could also try doing some research on mental imaging. I find it helpful...

97% into 10 minutes of your run???
something's not right there. there's no way your heart rate is actually at 97% max.
even if you TRIED, it'd be tough to do.

are you sure it's not "97 bpm"?
if you're sure its not that, then i think you might want to tighten the heartrate monitor so simple running vibrations doesnt set it off.

97% into 10 minutes of your run???
something's not right there. there's no way your heart rate is actually at 97% max.
even if you TRIED, it'd be tough to do.

are you sure it's not "97 bpm"?
if you're sure its not that, then i think you might want to tighten the heartrate monitor so simple running vibrations doesnt set it off.


It can happen...back when I was running almost daily I consistently got hr readings of 185-191. That was over a year ago, so I was 24/25 at the time and in decent shape. I thought it was strange, but I didn't feel like I was going to keel over so I just ignored it. Not the best reaction I know.

Most of what I have read tells me that for weight loss and cardio training I should keep my heart rate between 75% - 85%.

I have a HR monitor, a Axiom HR 600. I haven't used it much so far and I don't know if I'm doing something wrong.

I run 3 - 4 times a week usually around 30 mins. I don't run fast, but I keep a decent pace and I feel like I work up a good sweat and I'm pretty beat by the end of it.

Lately I've started to use my HR Monitor I noticed that my heart rate is around 97% about 10 mins into my run. I've tried slowing down, even walking at some points, but I am left unsatisfied and don't feel like I'm really working out.

That doesn't seem right to me. Any advice, insight?

A couple of things.

1) Are you sure the heart rate range in the HRM is correct? On mine, you manually enter the maximum heart rate, on others it works it out based on your age etc.

2) My heart rate used to get pretty high when I started doing cardio. Now I have to work much harder to reach my 85% :( :lol:

A couple of things.

1) Are you sure the heart rate range in the HRM is correct? On mine, you manually enter the maximum heart rate, on others it works it out based on your age etc.

2) My heart rate used to get pretty high when I started doing cardio. Now I have to work much harder to reach my 85% :( :lol:

I have to manually enter my heart rate. I used several formulas, including the one that came with the HRM. I just wanted to get a good consensus. They all came out to about 188-189. I am 32, 6'1", 195 lbs.

After some thought I figured that my heart rate will be high for a while until my cardio health gets better. However, what I was concerned about was that it was reading SO high and I felt like I was really working out, but not killing myself.

One of the problems that I have always had with running is that my body always wants to run at a pace that my heart and lungs can't match. What feels like a natural pace to me and is a comfortable stride usually ends up being the pace that makes my heart and lungs hurt. I've found that breath control helps there, but I want to work out SAFELY and I'm not certain if that is safe with a HR so high.