1. What is Target Heart Rate?

Target Heart Rate is the desired heart rate range you should aim for during exercise to get the most cardiovascular benefits from your workout. It represents approximately 70% of your heart rate reserve.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Target Heart Rate formula:

Where:

• \( \text{RHR} \) — Resting Heart Rate (bpm)
• \( \text{MHR} \) — Maximum Heart Rate (bpm)
• \( 0.7 \) — 70% intensity factor

Explanation: This formula calculates your target exercise heart rate using the heart rate reserve method, which provides a more personalized result than simple percentage-based calculations.

3. Importance of Target Heart Rate

Details: Training within your target heart rate zone ensures you're exercising at the right intensity to improve cardiovascular fitness, burn fat effectively, and avoid overtraining or undertraining.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your resting heart rate (measured when completely at rest) and maximum heart rate. For maximum heart rate, you can use the formula 220 - age, or use measured values from exercise testing.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I measure my resting heart rate?
A: Measure your pulse first thing in the morning before getting out of bed. Count beats for 60 seconds for most accuracy.

Q2: What if I don't know my maximum heart rate?
A: You can estimate it using the formula: 220 - your age. However, this is an estimate and individual variations exist.

Q3: Is 70% intensity appropriate for everyone?
A: 70% is good for moderate intensity exercise. Beginners may start at 50-60%, while athletes may train at 80-90% intensity.

Q4: How often should I check my target heart rate?
A: Recalculate whenever your fitness level changes significantly, or if there are changes in your resting heart rate.

Q5: Are there other methods to calculate target heart rate?
A: Yes, other methods include the Karvonen formula (used here), percentage of maximum heart rate, and perceived exertion scale.