Target Heart Rate

The Target Heart Rate  equation computes a typical range to target for your heart rate while exercising. This is only a general guideline. You should consult your physician to get a more personalized range to target.

Inputs:

Inputs to this equation are defined as follows:

• Your Age - simply enter your age as an integer
• Activity Experience/Level - selected exercise experience from Haven't Exercised in While,  Exercise Regularly,  Regularly Very Active

Usage:

How to Check Your Heart Rate

Right after you stop exercising, take your pulse: Place the tips of your first two fingers lightly over one of the blood vessels on your neck, just to the left or right of your Adam's apple. Or try the pulse spot inside your wrist just below the base of your thumb.

Count your pulse for 10 seconds and multiply the number by 6.

How to Use This Information

The number you should specifically target depends on your fitness level. Always consult your physician in making decisions about your health and exercise plans, especially the use of this general information on heart rates. It is a notional guideline.  Your doctor has best knowledge of your fitness level.

Your maximum exercise heart rate is the highest heart rate you can achieve without encountering severe problems while exercising.  Your maximum exercise heart rate depends primarily on your age. Determination of your personal maximum exercise heart rate is general done using a cardiac stress test. A cardiac stress test characterizes the individual's heart rate under different levels of stress.  Usually the subject exercises for ten to twenty minutes while being monitored with an ECG device. The intensity of exercise is monitored in this way and is periodically increased by increasing speed and or incline off the treadmill on which the subject is walking/running.

Additional Resources:

Check out the Heart Heath Calculator and the Metabolic Health Calculator for more Health and Fitness Equations.