, its how you work up to your max that counts.Sports science laboratories often use a graded treadmill run to establish MHR. The speed of the track is gradually increased until you can no longer keep up, and your heart rate at this point is assumed

and store heart rate information for assessment afterwards. Alternatively, take along a partner who can write down your measurements as you give them. Perform the test on either a running track or a treadmill. NB: This is an intense test – only perform

machinery with strong electric currents – motorised treadmills affect many watches, often to the point where just walking elicits heart rates above 200! Similarly, runners who live on the flight path to an airport can experience strange readings when low

the same muscles. Your maximum heart rate here will probably be about 12 beats per minute lower than your treadmill max, and so your training heart rates will be out by a similar amount. The main reason for this is the cooling effect of the water