I have a question on Heart Rate....I just bought a heart rate monitor and have been using it for the past week during my cardio sessions. From what I'm understanding, I need to stay somewhere in the 50-80% range, depending on my goals. Thats fine. When I go out for my run, I've consistently been right around 90-95%. (220-39(age)x50%x80% =91min, 145max) My avg heart beat is right around 169-174 and it's just an average run with an average speed. To me, it's what I've always done. From what I'm reading, I shouldn't be at a 90% training level unless I'm some kind of serious athlete, which I'm not. I have also read that these parameters can vary greatly from person to person. Any sound advice about this?? I'm a little perplexed about the whole thing. TIA!!

From what I'm understanding, I need to stay somewhere in the 50-80% range, depending on my goals.
You don't need to stay in that 50%-80% range unless you don't want to stray outside of the aerobic zone. Anything higher than 80% puts you in the anaerobic zone, which isn't bad, it just somewhat changes the effect of your cardio.

http://www.brianmac.demon.co.uk/hrm1.htm

Thanks for the info! I found another site that seemed to help me out as well, for any who may be interested:

http://www.bodyresults.com/E2maxheartrate.asp

This formula seems to be much more realistic in terms of my fitness experience. Any opinions??

That seems to make sense. Recovery time should be a better indicator of fitness than max heart rate. I think from now on when i finish walking on the treadmill I'll check my recovery time to see if I can improve it.