Is this a pretty good fitness for a 53 year old woman?

I exercised for 90 minutes straight yesterday on my stair-climber and elliptical machine.



I wanted to see how long I can stand it. I had to stop because my muscles were starting to cramp up and I was getting light headed.



But I was able to average 135 heart rate during the 90 minutes and achieved a maximum heart rate of 162.



Is this a good fitness for a woman my age?Is this a pretty good fitness for a 53 year old woman?Well done you. It means you are amazingly fit compared to the immense heaps of blubber I see walking around. Keep it up, but small exertions frequently are better. Be proud......Is this a pretty good fitness for a 53 year old woman?The mathematical formula for your maximum heart rate capability is:



226 - your age = age - adjusted Max HR



The generally accepted error is plus minus 10-15 beats per minute, which is due to different inherited characteristics and exercise training. You mentioned a 162 which means you have more or less 'peaked' it during your 90 minutes routine if we consider the safety factor in the calculation.



The safety heart rate or the heart rate that is prescribed for beginning exercises is usually 60% or less of the maximum heart rate because this represents the least amount of stress you can place on your heart and still receive beneficial exercise effect... so please do keep that rate around a hundred or seek a physicians opinion for a supervised stress test if your heart rate even at rest is already past this much.



I hope this advice will come in handy. Please have a care and good luck ^_^Is this a pretty good fitness for a 53 year old woman?The best way to measure heart rate is not the maximum amount your heart rate goes to but measure how long it takes your heart rate to go back to the 'resting' state. Ie measure your heart rate in a resting mode then see how long it takes your heart to resume to this level once you exercise.



Very fit people can see their heart rate drop by 50-60 heart beats in the first minute but if your heart rate drops by 35 heart beats then you can be classed as healthy.



Just to address your initial query a normal heart rate can be as low as 30 heart beats per minute for athletes like Lance Armstrong. Over time you will notice your heart rate drop doing the same exercise if you keep up with your exercising.



Remember do not overdo your exercise but just the fact you managed to exercise for 90 minutes states that you are in pretty good shape.



For more information join my group on www.VayaViva.com/groups/rayshay