Your Target Heart Rate Zone

So what's the big deal about Target Heart Rate Zones?

Simply put, it helps us know just how hard we are working while we are exercising. There are several ways to determine your heart rate, however, one of the most general is the simple method of calculating your low end of the zone, and your high end of the zone, and whoolah, you've just found an area to work in. 

Here's how it's done::

1) Take 220 minus your age x .60 = Your low end of your target heart rate zone.

2) Take 220 minus your age x .85 = Your high end of your target heart rate zone.

With these two numbers is generally where you'd want your heart rate to fall during exercise, particularly when performing cardiovascular exercise.  For instance: you're in the middle of your run (bike, swim, aerobics class, jump rope, etc.), simply get your pulse, preferably at your wrist, count your pulse for 6 seconds, add a zero to the end of the number you counted, and this is your heart rate. Now see where this number falls in conjunction with your target heart rate zone. 

If it is below the zone, or at the lower end of the zone, you know you can be working harder.

If it is above your highest number of your zone, you know you could be pacing yourself better with that particular exercise. 

If you are right in the zone, congratulations!

A few things to keep in mind. Medications, illness, fatigue, and stress can all influence your heart rate, and increase it significantly. Be mindful of your heart rates. Likewise, medications can also lower your heart rate, again be mindful of where you are working.