Target Heart Rate

Target Heart Rate Calculator

Note: : This tool should not be used for people under age 20 years. Because of their smaller size, children’s heart rates are different than adults.

ENTERING YOUR INFORMATION

During exercise, you want to increase your heart rate to strengthen your heart without over stressing it. According to the American Heart Association, you should keep your heart rate between 50% to 85% of your maximum heart rate. To get your maximum heart rate, subtract your age from 220.

Use our Target Heart Rate Calculator to find the safe heart rate for people your age during exercise. If you're just starting an exercise program, aim for the low end of this range. If you’ve been exercising for a while, you can aim for a higher target rate.

Enter your age in the space provided.
Click Submit/Calculate.

More About This Tool

You're sweating through another aerobic workout, and you're wondering whether you're overdoing it or not working hard enough. Pacing yourself is extremely important to maximizing the benefits of exercise. What's the right pace for you?

One way of finding the right pace is to monitor how fast your heart is pumping during your workout. According to the American Heart Association, the safest and most effective pace of exercise is one that keeps your heart pumping at a speed between 50% and 75% of your maximum heart rate. Fill in the information below and we'll calculate the range of target heart rates that may be best for you during exercise.

Review Date: 6/9/2006
Reviewed By: Alan Greene, M.D., F.A.A.P., Department of Pediatrics, Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford University School of Medicine; Chief Medical Officer, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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