The Question: I am 58 yrs old and have been trying to get my heart rate up to a level that is apparently too high. I do cardio on a "Free Runner" and can maintain 120 to 130 without being out of breath or feeling pushed. According to the 70% of max, I should work out at 113. Am I hurting myself by exercising at 120 to 130? The Answer: The 70% recommendation is given as a prime fat burning range without having to push too hard!! You are training between 75-80 percent of your APMHR and this is fine. You will definitely see a greater conditioning response with this intensity range. Ten minutes of warmup, weight training, and 20-30 minutes of cardio is awesome. Keep up the great work! Remember to eat well along with your exercise! |