Hi all! I just recently started going to the gym because I'm trying to lose weight for my April wedding. I've also started on a high-protein, low-carb diet.

For some reason, over the past few months my resting pulse has gotten pretty low. It is usually in the 50s. Even sitting here typing this it is about 56. I have been seeing a cardiologist (because my resting rate used to be very fast) and he keeps telling me there is nothing wrong with me. I have been cleared to do any exercise I want to.

Here's my question(s)...I wear a polar chest strap heart monitor when I work out. When I do weights, if I am really pushing myself my heart rate will go up to like 120-130 and then drop back down to 70-80 as soon as I am done with that set. After I do weights, I get on the elliptical machine for 25-30 minutes. I reach my target heart rate of 151 in just two minutes or so (that is what the machine sets for my age of 31). Does that seem normal? I would think with such a low resting heart rate that it would take longer, but maybe I'm just out of shape.

I worry about my heart a lot. My cardiologist tells me I'm fine, but I have such a hard time believing him. I wish I could just stop worrying about this stuff so I can enjoy my workouts. I have horrible anxiety every time I go to the gym...that probably elevates my heart rate some too. :mad:

Thanks in advance for your comments!

HI L,

My heart rate is usually 48-52 and my brother in law who's a cardiologist didn't find that too worrisome so I don't worry about it. Before I started an exercise program it was about 59.

Once you start exercising your heart rate will go up much quicker. When I do the elliptical from a cold start it takes me about 6 min and pushing the resisitance up to a level 5 or so to get my heart into the 140's yet if I do it after a 16 min session on the treadmill, I am up to 150 within a minute or two at a level 2 resistance. I am sure it's the same with weights. You sound normal to me.