With advances in watches and fitnesstrackersthese days, more and more of us are using them to help us navigate traffic, check the weather, set reminders and even monitor our heart rates during workouts.
While heart rate monitoring is great, many of us might not know what to do with the data. Whether you’re a beginner or a highly conditioned athlete, to maximize your exercise and overall health, it helps to learn your target heart rate (THR) zone.
“Being in tune with your target heart rate zone is really important as it can let you know if you are pushing too hard, not enough or are in that sweet spot or Goldilocks zone—what we like to call the target heart rate,” saidJason Hatch, MD, a Banner Health interventional cardiologist in Colorado.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to get the recommended150 minuteseach week of moderate-intensity physical activity, your pulse or heart rate should be within that zone for the most aerobic benefits.
So how do you know if you are hitting that sweet spot? Dr. Hatch explains how to calculate your THR zone and important tips to keep in mind.
Step One: Calculate Your Resting Heart Rate
Before you try to figure out your THR, you’ll want to first measure your resting heart rate. The best time to do this is first thing in the morning, before you get out of bed. Track it over the course of several days to get a consistent reading and share with your doctor if you have any concerns.
The average resting heart rate should be anywhere between 60 to 90 beats per minute. However, some athletes could have an even lower heart rate, roughly 40-50 beats per minute.
Step Two: Calculate Your Maximum Heart Rate
Unless your doctor has recommended you undergo an exercise tolerance or stress test to measure your maximum heart rate (MHR), you can calculate it using the following formula:
MHR = 207 – (.7 x age)
For example, if you are 40 years old, your MHR should be 179 beats per minutes.
Step Three: Calculate Your Target Heart Rate
Once you have your MHR, you can figure out your (THR) zone as 60% to 80% of that number. For example, if you are 40 years old and have an MHR of 179, your THR would range from 115 to 136 beats per minute. This is considered the sweet spot for moderate-intensity activity.
“Please note that these are just averages to use as a guide,” Dr. Hatch said. “If you feel these are off, talk to your doctor to determine a target heart rate zone that is best for you.”
Step Four: Getting into the Zone
Once you know your THR zone, you will know how hard to exercise to gain the most aerobic benefit from your workout. You can exercise within your THR to either maintain or raise your aerobic fitness level.
As a general tip, if you’re just starting out, it’s a good idea to stay in the lower end of your target zone for the first few weeks and slowly build up.
“Remember, your target heart rate is a guide and every individual is different,” Dr. Hatch said. “Pay attention to how you feel, how hard you are breathing, how fast your heart is beating and how much you feel the exertion in your muscles.”
Important Note
If you haven’t been physically active in quite some time or have an underlying medical condition, check with your doctor first before starting any heart rate training.
“While I don’t necessarily worry about those athletes who’ve maybe taken a few years off after high school or college and are picking up exercise again in their 20s and 30s, I do worry about those who’ve taken a decade or more off,” Dr. Hatch said. “It’s important to meet with your primary care physician first to check things like your blood pressure and overall health. They can also help you find a routine and target heart rate zone that matches your needs, goals and physical condition.”
Important Tips to Keep in Mind:
- Use your target heart rate as a guide.
- Listen to your body and don’t overdo it.
- Remember to take things slow. You can’t go from couch to marathon in a day. If you are starting a new exercise program, gradually build up—don’t push it too hard right out of the gate.
- “What often can happen to those who haven’t been exercising regularly is that just as quickly as they dive right back into fitness, they are sidelined from an injury,” Dr. Hatch said. “Remember you didn’t get where you are today overnight, so don’t expect to change overnight.”
- See a doctor before starting a new fitness program or if have an underlying health condition.
To find a Banner Health provider or specialist near you, visitvwin.comac德赢官方首页 .
