
Your target heart
rate helps you to know if the intensity of your exercise
is enough to produce health benefits. If your heart rate
is too low, then you're not benefiting from your exercise
efforts. If your heart rate is above your target heart rate,
then you're working too hard and need to slow down.
Here's
how to check if you are within your target heart rate
zone:
- 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.
- Compare the
number to the right grouping below: Look for the age
grouping that is closest to your age and read the line
across. For example, if you are 43, the closest age on
the chart is 45; the target zone is 88 to 131 beats per
minute.
The chart
below is provided for informational purposes only. Please
consult your doctor if you have questions about your
target heart rate zone.
| Age |
Target
Heart Rate Zone
(Beats per Minute) |
| 20
years |
100
to 150 |
| 25
years |
98
to 146 |
| 30
years |
95
to 142 |
| 35
years |
93
to 138 |
| 40
years |
90
to 135 |
| 45
years |
88
to 131 |
| 50
years |
85
to 127 |
| 55
years |
83
to 123 |
| 60
years |
80
to 120 |
| 65
years |
78
to 116 |
| 70
years |
75
to 113 |
|