British Cycling HR Calculator

British Cycling Heart Rate Zones:

\[ HR_{zone} = HR_{max} \times zone\_percentage \]

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1. What are British Cycling Heart Rate Zones?

The British Cycling Heart Rate Zones are a system for categorizing exercise intensity based on percentages of your maximum heart rate. These zones help cyclists train at the right intensity for their goals.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following formula:

\[ HR_{zone} = HR_{max} \times zone\_percentage \]

Where:

\( HR_{max} \) — Maximum heart rate (220 - age)
\( zone\_percentage \) — Percentage range for each training zone

Explanation: The calculator first determines your maximum heart rate using the age-based formula, then calculates the appropriate ranges for each training zone.

3. Importance of Heart Rate Zones

Details: Training in specific heart rate zones helps optimize workouts for different goals like endurance, fat burning, or performance improvement.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your age and resting heart rate (measured in the morning before getting out of bed). The calculator will show your personal heart rate zones for training.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How accurate is the 220-age formula?
A: It's a general estimate. For greater accuracy, consider a max HR test under medical supervision.

Q2: What are the British Cycling zones used for?
A: They help structure training plans for endurance, tempo, threshold, and VO2 max workouts.

Q3: Should I use these zones for other sports?
A: While useful for cycling, other sports may have slightly different zone definitions.

Q4: How often should I check my resting HR?
A: Regular morning checks can track fitness improvements as resting HR typically decreases with training.

Q5: Can these zones change over time?
A: Yes, as your fitness improves, you may need to recalculate your zones.