How to Find Your Target Heartrate

To get the most out of your exercise program and to be sure you are exercising in a way that is healthy for your body, it is important to know what your target heart rate is. The target heart rate is actually a range in which you should stay during exercise. Going above the target heart rate would put a strain on your system, and staying below the heart rate would mean that your body is not getting enough of a workout to see any positive results.

Things You'll Need

  • Calculator
  • Pen
  • Pencil
Show More

Instructions

  1. Calculating Target Heart Rate

    • 1

      Subtract your age from 220 if you are a man, and from 226 if you are a woman. For example, if you are a 40 year old woman, subtract 40 from 226. The result is 186.

    • 2

      Multiply the result by .70 to get the lower end of the target heart rate range. Using the earlier example, you would multiply 186 by .70. The lower end of the target heart rate range would be 130 beats per minute.

    • 3

      Find the top of the range by multiplying the result from step one by .85. With this example, you would multiply 186 by .85. The top end of the range would be 158 beats per minute.

    • 4

      Exercise with your target heart rate in mind, and check your heart rate a few times throughout the exercise routine to make sure you are staying within the range. With the example of the forty year old woman, the target range would be 130 to 158 beats per minute.