Heart Rate Indoors vs Outdoors

[RydeRuff12]

I’ve noticed that for whatever reason, it seems I’m able to push my heart rate higher riding outdoors than indoor.

As an example, I recently did a V02 max session where the intervals are 3 mins at about 120 to 115% of FTP. Heart rate topped out at around 155 and I felt like I just couldn’t get enough air. After 4 intervals I backed it down to 90-95%.

But yesterday I went on a ride and really pushed over 6 minutes. Heart rate peaked at 166 but I didn’t feel as out of breath. I’ve also noticed overall I can hit a higher heart rate outdoors than indoors over the

Just sort of weird… what’s going on?

[onemanpeloton]

Some other conversations to consider

Heart Rate not getting up like outdoor rides

I too have noticed its hard to get my HR up very high indoors. Reasons are numerous in my opinion, but limited competition and adrenaline are probably high on the list. So i have adjusted my indoor HR’s as roughly 10 bpm lower for indoor settings on my Polar GPS and work to this in conjunction with power and the efforts seems comparable with outside workouts. As long as you know what your expected HR’s are , both indoor and outdoor, you’ll make progress. I’ve also found virtual power to vary i…

My RPE inside is so much higher inside than outside for the same heart rate

Except the OP is talking about RPE at the same heart rates - not that HR is higher indoors. This is what’s odd - you’d expect to see RPE go up in line with heart rate. @JorritK is your outdoor riding off-road? Are you using your upper body more? Are you getting out of the saddle more? You might see a lower HR relative to RPE indoors if the way you’re riding on the trainer is very different to outdoors. Also, are you riding with a power meter? If so, what kind of powers are you seeing at this…

Indoor Vs Outdoor FTP

I’ve been involved in this thread since it’s inception and nobody has come up with a proven reason. I have the same problem. Lower power and HR indoors and increased RPE. Have tried so many things, none solving the problem. Main reason why I prefer to do workouts outside. My latest opinion is that I’m not using my upper body indoors, so HR doesn’t need to be as high and the upper body does contribute to power, so power indoors is lower. I thought it was temperature related at one time, but I’ve …

Indoor vs outdoor

Are you technically not training to your fullest potential when you’re training with lower power but high exertion (wrt HR) indoors than higher power higher exertion outdoors? According to my very minimal knowledge there are two parts contributing to ride a bike. The cardiovascular and the muscular. Do you muscles get trained in a specific way at higher power output than lower output keeping the cardiovascular aspect of it almost same. my ftp is 40-45 watts different from outside to indoors. …

[RydeRuff12]

Thanks for the links to the other threads, I’ll read through. I also think it might have something to do with distraction. I"m more into the feeling of wind, motion and going fast outdoors. Inside, even with music or something on TV, it’s tough not to look at the numbers.

[fl33tStA]

same for me, but indoor it makes a difference if Kicker Headwind is 1m away or directly in front of me (then i can go higher) and of course outdoor when climbing, i reach HR i never can get indoor

[RydeRuff12]

I have second fan on order. It comes today. We’ll see if it makes any difference…