How to Check your Heart Rate While Exercising

You don't need a fancy gadget to monitor your heart rate while exercising.

Knowing how to check your heart rate while exercising can help you get the most out of your workout. There are specific target heart rates that you can use to maximize weight loss or workout intensity. Taking your heart rate while exercising is simple and requires no special equipment.

Instructions

1. Place two fingers on the pulse in your neck, which should be just below your chin on your neck. You may need to move your fingers around a bit until you feel your pulse.

2. Count how many times your heart beats in 10 seconds.

3. Multiply the number of heartbeats by 6. This gives you your current heart rate, the number of times your heart beats in a minute.

4. Repeat the process several times during your workout to make sure you are hitting your heart rate targets to get the most out of your workout.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a target heart rate calculator to figure out what your optimum exercise heart rate should be.

• You should ensure during your workout that your heart rate falls within your target heart rate zone to maximize cardiovascular fitness.

• A rule-of-thumb is that if you're able to sing, you're not working out hard enough. Conversely, if you're not able to talk, you're working out too hard.

• Do not move your fingers in a massaging motion when taking your carotid pulse. This can lower blood pressure and cause dizziness.

• Talk with your doctor before beginning any exercise program, especially if you have been leading a sedentary lifestyle.

References

• Cleveland Clinic: Your Pulse and Your Target Heart Rate