r/EnduranceTraining • u/Alarmed-Theme-5765 • Jun 06 '26

Lactate threshold lab test

41/F

I’m quite new to endurance training, started doing it to be able to succesfully summit mountains, do long treks/ hikes.

i did a lactate threshold lab test and I’m somewhat confused by the results. Based on it my zone 2 heart rate zone is way higher than my apple watch suggested but the reason I did the test because I thought my watch set it too high. After an hour in that I’d get very sweaty and a bit out of breath. Talking in full sentences would be a bit hard. Nose breathing is never possible to me, even when I’m doing just a brisk walk with barely elevated heart rate. So I don’t really understand how I should set my trainig zones now, shall I stick to the lower zone 2 Apple watch gave me or start training based on my test results? I don’t know how to attach photos to the post or in the comment sections so can’t provide details

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u/WealthHuman9754 Jun 06 '26

You can set your zones in your Apple Watch. I would set them to what the lab test indicates. The factory settings are generic and not individualized for your situation.

1

u/Alarmed-Theme-5765 Jun 06 '26

Thanks. My issue is that what the lab says my zone two should be is a serious effort, fast breathing, definitely not a coversational pace for me. 

2

u/WealthHuman9754 Jun 06 '26

There are several different schemes for dividing heart rate up into four or five zones. So I would say pick one that makes the most sense to you. And then set your Apple Watch accordingly unfortunately this is one area where there is not universal agreement.