top of page


Nikolaidis Max Heart Rate Formula: What Four Numbers Can Tell You
Most max heart rate formulas ask for one thing: age. The Nikolaidis max heart rate formula asks for four. Age, body weight, VO2 max, and resting heart rate all factor into the estimate, which raises an obvious question — does more input data actually produce a better number, or just a more complicated one?

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
1 day ago4 min read


Tanaka Max Heart Rate Formula: A Better Age-Based MHR Estimate
Dr. Hirofumi Tanaka set out to correct that with a meta-analysis pulling together data from thousands of individuals across a wide age range. The result was a formula with a smaller average error and a track record that holds up better across different ages and fitness levels.

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
2 days ago4 min read


Sweat Rate Calculator: Two Numbers on a Bathroom Scale Will Tell You More Than Any Hydration App
Why this Sweat Rate Calculator and Two Numbers on a Bathroom Scale Will Tell You More Than Any Hydration App will. Most triathletes hydrate by feel, or by whatever a bottle-per-hour rule of thumb they picked up years ago. Feel is a bad instrument for this. Thirst lags actual fluid deficit, and by the time it shows up, the workout is already compromised. The fix isn't a smarter app or a fancier bottle — it's two weigh-ins and a little arithmetic.

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
5 days ago5 min read


Triathlon Taper Calculator: How Much to Cut Swim, Bike and Run Before Race Day
Many triathletes taper by feel. They reach the final two weeks and start guessing—a shorter ride here, a skipped run there and perhaps an extra rest day because it “feels right.”

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
Aug 134 min read


Training Load & Injury Risk (ACWR) Calculator: Is Your Ramp Rate Safe?
Are you getting fitter—or getting closer to an injury? Two triathletes each train nine hours this week. One finishes the block stronger, faster, and ready for the next progression. The other develops shin pain that becomes a stress fracture six weeks later. On paper, their training logs look identical. In reality, they couldn't be more different. The difference isn't how long they trained—it's how much stress those nine hours placed on their body compared to what they were pr

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
Aug 115 min read


LATIC THRESHOLD CALCULATOR TRAINING ZONES EXPLAINED: How to Train by Heart Rate That Actually Means Something.
Lactate Threshold Heart Rate (LTHR) fixes this. It's not estimated — it's tested. And because it's tested, the zones built off it actually mean something.

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
Aug 94 min read


Caffeine in Triathlon & Endurance Sports: How Much, When, and Does It Actually Improve Performance?
One thing worth tracking: total intake. Caffeine adds up across more sources than people realize — coffee before the race, a gel on the bike, another on the run, maybe an energy drink on the drive to the venue. It all counts. The FDA's general guidance is up to about 400 mg a day for most healthy adults, but that's a public health number, not a performance target. More isn't automatically better.

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
Aug 25 min read


25 Free Triathlon Training Calculators That Help You Train with Confidence, Not Assumptions
Twenty-five free calculators for triathlon and endurance training. VDOT running pace zones. FTP cycling power zones. Critical Swim Speed.

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
Jun 275 min read


Methylene Blue for Endurance Athletes: Boosting ATP, & Brain Power - (WADA-Approved?)
It will stain your teeth and color your cloths but will make you faster? What is Methylene Blue? Methylene blue (MB) is a synthetic compound originally developed in the 1800s to dye jeans. Fast forward to today and we find that the FDA has approved MB for treating methemoglobinemia, a rare blood disorder. But recently, it’s caught the eye of endurance athletes and biohackers for a very different reason: its potential to enhance cellular energy production (ATP) and cognitive p

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
Oct 19, 20255 min read


Wanna Go Faster? Get Some Sleep
If you're chasing personal bests in triathlon, chances are you've dialed in your training, upgraded your nutrition, and invested in some slick gear. But there’s one high-performance tool that too many triathletes overlook: sleep. Yes, sleep. → Set Yourself Up for Success—Start Here It’s not flashy, it doesn’t cost a dime, and yet it could be the missing piece between pretty good and podium-worthy. Whether you're training for a sprint or a full-distance IRONMAN, sleep is one o

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
Jun 1, 20252 min read


How to Use Heart Rate Variability (HRV) in Triathlon Training to Maximize Recovery and Performance
How to Use Heart Rate Variability (HRV) in Triathlon Training to Maximize Recovery and Performance

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
May 7, 20253 min read


Masters and Senior Triathletes Triathlon Training: How Your Body Changes at 40 and 60—And How to Stay Competitive
ging is inevitable, but for triathletes, understanding how the body changes at key milestones can make all the difference in maintaining performance.

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
Apr 6, 20253 min read


The Science Behind The Best Max Heart Rate Formulas: Understanding Your Cardiovascular Limits.
The Science Behind Max Heart Rate Formulas: Understanding Your Cardiovascular Limits - Optimizing Your Exercise performance

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
Mar 26, 20253 min read


Lactic Acid: Your Misunderstood Endurance Training Buddy
Grab your running shoes, hop on your bike, or hit the pool, cause we're gonna dive into the world of our misunderstood friend, lactic acid! → Set Yourself Up for Success—Start Here Lactic acid is the notorious troublemaker that haunts the dreams of endurance athletes worldwide. It has been vilified, blamed for muscle soreness, and even accused of causing the Bermuda Triangle phenomenon (okay, maybe not that last one). But fear not, dear fellow athlete! In this delightful and

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
Jun 4, 20234 min read


Pedaling and Pounding: The Pros and Cons of Training with a Power Meter for Triathletes
Training with a power meter has recently become increasingly popular among cyclists, runners, and triathletes. Power meters provide real-time, objective data that can be used to improve performance, monitor progress, and tailor training to individual needs. However, like any training tool, power meters have benefits and drawbacks that must be considered when deciding whether to use them. This post will explore the benefits and drawbacks of training with a power meter for cyc

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
Mar 18, 20234 min read


Part Five: The Nikolaidis MHR Formula. Is This the Best MHR Formula For Triathletes?
Max Nikolaidis formula, also known as the Nikolaidis formula, is a mathematical equation used to estimate an individual's maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max) based on age, sex, body mass, and heart rate.

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
Mar 4, 20234 min read


Part Four: Crunching the Numbers: The Nes et al. MHR Formula for Accurate Heart Rate Estimation
The maximum heart rate (MHR) has been a topic of interest in exercise physiology for many years. In the early days, it was believed that the MHR was determined solely by genetics, and there was no way to change it. However, with advancements in research, it has been discovered that the MHR can be influenced by various factors such as age, fitness level, and gender. One of the most popular formulas for estimating the MHR is the Nes et al. max heart rate formula. This post will

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
Mar 2, 20233 min read


Part Three - Introducing The Gelish Max Heart Rate Formula
The Gellish Max Heart Formula is a statistical formula used to estimate the maximum heart rate (HRmax) of an individual. This formula was developed by Dr. Leonard Gellish, a physician and exercise physiologist who was interested in finding a simple, accurate way to estimate an individual's HRmax. → Set Yourself Up for Success—Start Here → Calculate your own Gelish Max Heart Rate training zones here History: The Gellish Max Heart Formula was developed in the early 2000s by Dr.

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
Feb 28, 20233 min read


Part Two - The Max Heart Rate Puzzle - In Focus - Tanaka MHR Formula
The Tanaka et al. formula is based on a study of 514 healthy men and women aged 18-81 years. The formula is as follows: MHR = 208 - (0.7 x age) The Tanaka Max heart rate formula is a popular method used to estimate an individual's maximum heart rate (MHR) based on age. Hirofumi Tanaka, a professor of kinesiology and director of the Cardiovascular Aging Research Laboratory at the University of Texas at Austin, developed the formula. Here I'll explore the history, implementatio

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
Feb 26, 20234 min read


Say Goodbye to 220-Age. Discover the Game-Changing Alternatives for Your Best Fitness Results Yet:
Part One of Our Exclusive Five-Part Series! Maximum heart rate (MHR) is a fundamental measure of cardiovascular function, providing insight into a person's fitness level and indicating the intensity of exercise that would be most beneficial for them. Several formulas have been proposed to estimate MHR, each with strengths and weaknesses. Here we will examine the creation, development, and use of different MHR formulas and discuss their potential applications and limitations.

Paul M Johnson - CNC,CSNC,PES
Feb 26, 20234 min read
bottom of page