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Today, 24 November 2009

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Yesterday, 23 November 2009

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Question

I am a 25-year-old woman and have recently started gym. I have noticed that after about five minutes of cycling my heart rate rises to between 180 and 190. Is this normal? Could stopping smoking two months ago have something to do with this?

Answer

Congratulations on stopping smoking - please keep it up!

You say that you have only recently started at gym, so the chances are that you are not very fit yet. At the age of 25, your theoretical maximum heart rate is 195, so your heart rate is not excessively high.

As you get fitter you will notice that your heart rate will fall to a lower level for the same amount of exercise, and only rise to these levels when you are pushing yourself really hard.

Have a look at Using a heart rate monitor: the basics to learn more about your heart rate during exercise.