Rower in trouble

Hey, I'm 19, 6'2, 210 lbs, 33" waist, body fat % is probably just a bit above 10.

I'm in my first year of university and I've been doing a year abroad in Scotland. I finished high school at a really high level of rowing and am transferring back to row in college in the US. Being in Scotland, I've obviously enjoyed myself a bit too much. I've smoked a few cigarettes though nothing serious and have drank a fair deal.

In the gym I've been weightlifting and doing really light cardio but as of lately I've been trying to get back on the rowing machine. The Problem is that I've only lately started using a heart rate monitor and when I start pushing myself my heart rate goes absolutely nuts. I've read all about max heart rates and all the rules about training but when I try to do stuff that I did in high school, my heart can get as high as the mid 190's bpm. According to most websites, that's dangerous but if I do the nice heart rates that they advise it feels like I'm not moving.

Should I just can what people say about heart rates and keep working like I used to or try to take it easy? I'm hoping to start getting on the machine like 6 days a week but if I keep my heart rate so low, coaches will laugh at the numbers I'm pulling on the machine. HELP!!! This heart rate monitor is killing me!!!

-Marc
 
One more thing

I also had wrist surgery a couple years ago. Due to the arm strength loss, my pecs, lats, and upper arms are far from symmetrical. I've tried doing the extra set on the weak side but it hasn't helped much. Only time people notice are when I had no shirt on or if my girlfriend is giving me a backrub. (which isn't too often)

Any help?

PS the heart rate thing is top priority. I'm 19 and don't want my heart to explode just yet.
 
take your heart rate manually when the monitor is reading 190. Make sure thats accurate. 190 is way dangerous though. Your max should be around 185. You should be working at maybe 156. (just guessing there, may not be accurate).
 
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