Heart Rate Calculator
Description
Estimate your target heart rate zone using the popular Karvonen Formula. This formula uses both your resting heart rate (RHR) and maximum heart rate (MHR) to calculate a target heart rate (THR) zone for exercise and training. The THR zone is described as a lower and upper percentage of your heart rate reserve (the difference between your MHR and RHR), like the example shown in the figure below.
Common zones for different types of exercise include: Warm-up (50%-60%), Fitness (60%-70%), Aerobic (70%-80%), Anaerobic (80%-90%) [1].
Important: To get more than just an estimate, you should probably consult a trained professional (e.g. exercise physiologist or personal trainer) to help you determine your maximum heart rate via laboratory testing (via a cardiac stress test using an EKG for example).
TERMS Back to Top
Resting Heart Rate (RHR): To get your resting heart rate, take your pulse for one minute after getting out of bed in the morning. You can take an average from multiple days to improve the accuracy.
Maximum Heart Rate (MHR): The fastest rate that your heart can beat, measured in beats per minute. There are conflicting theories about how to calculate your maximum heart rate. The Default formula that we use in this calculator, taken from reference [2] is: 205.8-(0.685*age). This formula was found to have a Standard Deviation of 6.4 bpm.
Heart Rate Reserve (HRR): The difference between your maximum and resting heart rate.
Maximum Heart Rate (MHR): The fastest rate that your heart can beat, measured in beats per minute. There are conflicting theories about how to calculate your maximum heart rate. The Default formula that we use in this calculator, taken from reference [2] is: 205.8-(0.685*age). This formula was found to have a Standard Deviation of 6.4 bpm.
Heart Rate Reserve (HRR): The difference between your maximum and resting heart rate.
References
1] "Heart Rate" on Wikipedia.com.
2] Robergs, R.A., and Landwehr, R. (May 2002), "The Surprising History of the "HRmax=220-age" Equation", Journal of Exercise Physiology online Vol 5 (2). Read PDF
2] Robergs, R.A., and Landwehr, R. (May 2002), "The Surprising History of the "HRmax=220-age" Equation", Journal of Exercise Physiology online Vol 5 (2). Read PDF
More Health & Fitness Calculators
See Also
Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational use only. We cannot guarantee the results. The information should not be construed as medical advice.