Heart rate zones, which should I use - resting HR or lactate threshold?

Hi there!

I have got a question - can you help me determine which option should I use to establish my heart rate zones?
Look at the attached photos.
My resting HR is 42 (look at the zones from GC)
My LT (measured by fenix5) is 162 (again look at the zones from GC)

As you can see they are totaly different :(
I am confused... :(
Which one should I use during my training?
Which one is "more accurate"?

Thanks for help and suggestions
:) ciq.forums.garmin.com/.../1328907.jpg ciq.forums.garmin.com/.../1328908.jpg
  • The key difference between the initial options is in Zone 5 - which is supposed to be (roughly) Lactate Threshold to Max HR. Lactate Threshold should approximately determine the level above which you start feeling tired fast. So go by your feelings - if you believe the value is around 165 go with the LTHR option, if you think it's closer to 175, go with the other one. But based on your HR I think the LTHR in the 160-ish range makes more sense.
  • Yes, you are right but... :)
    There is 3rd option which is HR zones based on RHR

    So...
    1. HR zones based on formula 220-age (I don't like about this option)
    2 HR zones based on LTHR
    3 HR zones based on RHR

    My question is: option 2 or 3?
    :)


    1a. HR zones based on 220-age HR Max. This formula is OK for the population average as a whole, but is a rubbish predictor for any one individual.
    1b. HR zones based on YOUR known and tested HR Max. This is significantly better than 1a.
    2. HR zones based on HRH (Heart Rate Reserve) - which is HRMax - RHR.(Assuming a known HRMax rather than a formula based HRMax). The advantage of this method is that it uses the actual operating range of YOUR heart, rather than some implied assumptions about where the bottom end of this range might be. Trained runners will tend to have low RHR's, so Z1 and Z2 in particular may be slightly lower on this basis than the other formulae.
    3. LTHR. This introduces a new performance-based HR data point. When combined with autodetect of LTHR with a chest strap, your zones will automatically change based on the effectiveness of your training. This data point is also more relevant for race-pacing, or training at race pace.

    All of these methods are going to tend to converge towards your maximum, or at zones 4 and 5. But for those with a low RHR, the HRR method may be more accurate for defining zones 1 and 2.

    However, there is in fact a 4th option. In Garmin Connect, you can change the default percentages that define each zone. So you could use %LTHR as the method, but then slightly tweak the percentages for Z1 and Z2 so that they reflect the equivalent heart rates for these zones using the HRR method.
  • Too bad that nobody have invented LTHRR zones (Lactate Threshold Heart Rate Reserve) - zones based on the range between your resting heart rate and your LTHR. That would be the best of both worlds.
  • I think just the effort of spelling out that acronym has lifted my heart rate. :)
  • When I use the Max Hr my VO2 Max is getting higher with almost no effort and in case of using HRR I have to work much harder just to keep my VO2 Max.

    So I don’t understand the sense behind it? 

  • If you don’t like option 1 then you shouldn't like option 3 because to calculate it you need to know your Max HR.

  • I don't have much experience with estimating zones using LTHR - for me zones estimated using the heart rate reserve method (subtracting the resting HR) are pretty spot on. I use this calculator to estimate my zones - theathleteblog.com/.../