The two chambers on the top are called atria and the two chambers on the bottom are called ventricles.Ī muscular wall called the septum separates the right side of the heart from the left. In time, you’ll be able to exercise comfortably at up to 85 percent of your maximum heart rate.Your heart is divided into four sections or chambers. If you’re just starting out, aim for the lower range of your target zone (50 percent) and gradually build up. Slow your roll! If your heart rate is too low, and the intensity feels “light” to “moderate,” you may want to push yourself to exercise a little harder, especially if you’re trying to lose weight. If your heart rate is too high, you’re straining. What if my heart rate is too high or too low? If you have a heart condition or take medication, ask your healthcare provider what your heart rate should be. Important Note: Some drugs and medications affect heart rate, meaning you may have a lower maximum heart rate and target zone. Count your pulse for 30 seconds and multiply by 2 to find your beats per minute.Use the tips of your first two fingers (not your thumb) and press lightly over the artery.Take your pulse on the inside of your wrist, on the thumb side.A wearable activity tracker makes it super easy, but if you don’t use one you can also find it manually: As you exercise, periodically check your heart rate. Now that you have a target, you can monitor your heart rate to make sure you’re in the zone. The figures are averages, so use them as a general guide. Target heart rate during moderate intensity activities is about 50-70% of maximum heart rate, while during vigorous physical activity it’s about 70-85% of maximum. In the age category closest to yours, read across to find your target heart rates. Your maximum heart rate is about 220 minus your age.

This table shows target heart rate zones for different ages. 2 Know Your Numbers: Maximum and Target Heart Rate by Age Studies have found that a higher resting heart rate is linked with lower physical fitness and higher blood pressure and body weight. It usually means your heart muscle is in better condition and doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain a steady beat. When it comes to resting heart rate, lower is better. An athlete or more active person may have a resting heart rate as low as 40 beats per minute.

1 The rate can be affected by factors like stress, anxiety, hormones, medication, and how physically active you are. A good time to check it is in the morning after you’ve had a good night’s sleep, before you get out of bed or grab that first cup of java! Is resting heart rate different by age?įor most of us (adults), between 60 and 100 beats per minute (bpm) is normal. Your resting heart rate is the number of times your heart beats per minute when you’re at rest. Even if you’re not a gym rat or elite athlete, knowing your heart rate (or pulse) can help you track your health and fitness level.

When you work out, are you doing too much or not enough? There’s a simple way to know: Your target heart rate helps you hit the bullseye so you can get max benefit from every step, swing and squat. How do I get my heart rate in the target zone? Find out what normal resting and maximum heart rates are for your age and how exercise intensity and other factors affect heart rate. What should your heart rate be when working out, and how can you keep track of it? Our simple chart will help keep you in the target training zone, whether you want to lose weight or just maximize your workout.

Average pulse rate