Things You'll Need:
- Stop watch or other timing device
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Step 1
Decide whether or not you want to use your personal watch, a stop watch, or a timer. You do need a timing device to properly measure your resting heart rate. The reason is because your heart rate will be measured in BPM. You will need the ability to time one minute precisely.
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Step 2
Take your timing device to the place where you plan to measure your resting heart rate. If you are at home and plan to use your personal watch, you are already prepared. If you have decided to use a stop watch, get it ready. If you plan to take your resting heart rate at the gym or another location at which you intend to perform physical exercise, be prepared.
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Step 3
Place your timing device somewhere that you can easily reach. Once you find your pulse, it will be inconvenient for you to move around.
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Step 1
Hold out your right hand in front of you. You can leave your elbow slightly bent. You are simply preparing the two fingers you will use to find your pulse.
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Step 2
Draw in your thumb, pinky and your right ringer finger. The two fingers left outstretched, your right pointer and middle finger, may naturally curl down. Intentionally keep them fully stretched out, however.
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Step 3
Place your right pointer and middle finger on the right side of your neck, about halfway in between the front and back of your neck. You should now feel your pulse at the surface of your skin. If you do not, you should move those two fingers around until you do feel your pulse.
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Step 1
Start your timing device. If you are using a stop watch or timer, you can simply push the start button. If you are using your watch, the easiest thing to do is wait until the second hand reaches a whole number (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12).
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Step 2
Count your heart beats. Make sure you count each one. If for any reason you start to have trouble feeling your pulse, adjust your two fingers accordingly, until you can easily feel your pulse again.
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Step 3
Keep counting your heart beats until your stop watch reaches one full minute, or until your watch’s second hand reaches the exact place from which it began. If you start timing your resting heart rate at 11:20:15 (with the second hand on the 3), you will stop timing when the second hand reaches 11:21:15 (when the second hand reaches the 3 again). The total number of beats you count in that minute is your resting heart rate.
