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Target Heart Rate

Target Heart Rate Intensity in aerobic exercise is gauged both by how hard you feel like you are working and by your heart rate. It's important to exercise at a comfortable pace. You should be able to say short sentences when you exercise. If you do not feel normal again 10 minutes after stopping exercise, you are pushing too much. Heart rate is taken by finding the pulse at your wrist, counting the number of beats in ten seconds (start with zero), and multiply by 6. When exercising keep the heart rate in the Target Heart Rate zone for your age as listed below. Your doctor may be able to suggest a more precise heart rate range for you based on your current medical needs.  Age Target Heart Rate Zone (50 to 75% Average) Maximum Heart Rate (100%) 20 years 100 – 150 beats per minute 200 25 years 98 – 146 beats per minute 195 30 years 95 – 142 beats per minute 190 35 years 93 – 138 beats per minute 185 40 years 90 – 135 beats per minute 180 45 years 88 – 131 beats per minute 175 50 years 85 – 127 beats per minute 170 55 years 83 – 123 beats per minute 165 60 years 80 – 120 beats per minute 160 65 years 78 – 116 beats per minute 155 70 years 75 – 113 beats per minute 150