You can easily test relatively accurate max heart rate just by running a 5K race. Run a slightly slower than race pace, and go as hard as you can at the very en

You can easily test relatively accurate max heart rate just by running a 5K race. Run a slightly slower than race pace, and go as hard as you can at the very end (last 1K) with the goal of sprinting to the finish line and vomit. It's unpleasant, but relatively safe during a race event with medical staff there at the end. Also, max heart rate is only useful after you've been running for awhile. If your body hasn't started adapting to the change, MHR doesn't do much and often inaccurate. It's like 1RM in lifting, 1RM is meaningless in beginners as their bodies and central nervous systems haven't learned to fire all the muscles yet.