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Target Heart Rate Calculator and BPM Chart

Published: 2010/06/11 - Updated: 2021/02/18
Author: Disabled World - Contact Details
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Synopsis: Calculate your target heart rate for optimal exercising and aerobics fitness using our instant online target heart rate calculator. Using a target heart rate calculator is one way to make sure you are working within your target heart rate zone, the most effective zone for improving fitness and calorie burn. An alternative to the Karvonen method (below) is the Zoladz method, which derives exercise zones by subtracting values from HRmax.

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Calculate your target heart rate for optimal exercising and aerobics fitness using our target heart rate calculator. Heart rate, or heart pulse, is defined as the speed of the heartbeat measured by the number of beats of the heart per unit of time, typically beats per minute (bpm). Heart rate is not a stable value and it increases or decreases in response to the body's need in a way to maintain an equilibrium (basal metabolic rate) between requirement and delivery of oxygen and nutrients.

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Monitoring your exercise intensity is the best way to get the most out of your cardio workouts. The target heart rate calculator below is one way to make sure you're working within your target heart rate zone, the most effective zone for improving your fitness and burning calories. You can use a heart rate monitor to track your heart rate during your workouts. If you don't have a heart rate monitor, take your pulse for 6 seconds, count how many times your heart beats and add a zero to get an estimate.

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Illustration of pulse rate or heart rate electrocardiography.
Illustration of pulse rate or heart rate electrocardiography.
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Your heart rate is the number of heartbeats per unit of time, expressed as beats per minute, which can vary as your body's need for oxygen changes, such as during exercising or sleeping. Target heart rates let you measure your initial fitness level and monitor your progress in a fitness program. Your target heart rate zone is the range between 60% and 80% of your maximum heart rate. Working within this zone will provide you with the maximum health and fat-burning benefits from your cardiovascular activity.

The Target Heart Rate (THR), or Training Heart Rate, is a desired range of heart rate reached during aerobic exercise which enables one's heart and lungs to receive the most benefit from a workout. This range varies based on one's physical condition, gender, and previous training.

Target Heart Rate Calculator
Enter Your Age:
Select Level of Exercise: % of maximum heart rate
Your Target Heart Rate at This Level Equals Heart Beats Per Minute (BPM)
Your Recommended Target Heart Rate = to Heart Beats Per Minute

The above calculations are based on averages. It is recommended that you exercise within 55 to 85% of your maximum heart rate for at least 20 - 30 minutes to achieve the best results from aerobic exercise.

Heart Rate Zones for Exercising Chart

The target heart rate calculator above uses calculations based on averages. It is highly recommended you exercise within 55 to 85 percent of your maximum heart rate for at least 20 to 30 minutes to get the best results from aerobic exercises. A few high blood pressure medications lower the maximum heart rate and thus the target zone rate. If you're taking such medicine, call your physician to find out if you need to use a lower target heart rate.

Also see our Blood Pressure Chart

Target Heart Rate Formula Calculations

Below are two ways to calculate and chart one's Target Heart Rate. In each of these methods, there is an element called "intensity" which is expressed as a percentage. The THR can be calculated as a range of 65%-85% intensity. However, it is crucial to derive an accurate HRmax to ensure these calculations are meaningful.

Example for someone with a HRmax of 180 (age 40, estimating HRmax as 220 - age):

Zoladz Method

An alternative to the Karvonen method (below) is the Zoladz method, which derives exercise zones by subtracting values from HRmax.

THR = HRmax - Adjuster Plus/Minus 5 bpm

Example for someone with a HRmax of 180:

Karvonen Method

The Karvonen method factors in Resting Heart Rate (HRrest) to calculate Target Heart Rate (THR), using a range of 50%-85%:

THR = ((HRmax - HRrest) %Intensity) + HRrest

Example for someone with a HRmax of 180 and a HRrest of 70:

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Cite This Page (APA): Disabled World. (2010, June 11). Target Heart Rate Calculator and BPM Chart. Disabled World. Retrieved September 30, 2023 from www.disabled-world.com/calculators-charts/target-heart-rate.php

Disabled World provides general information only. The materials presented are never meant to substitute for qualified professional medical care, nor should they be construed as such. Funding is derived from advertisements or referral programs. Any 3rd party offering or advertising does not constitute an endorsement.