How to Calculate Aerobic Heart Rate

A person's heart rate is the number of times that his or her heart beats per minute. Aerobic heart rate is a specific term used to describe an ideal range of heart rates for a person trying to lose weight. This range of rates is usually expressed as being between 60 and 85 percent of a person's maximum heart rate. Because maximum heart rates vary from person to person, aerobic heart rates differ as well. Because of this variation, it is important to calculate your own aerobic heart rate before exercising.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Subtract your age from the number 220. The resulting number will be your maximum heart rate. For example, a person who is 20 years old would have a maximum heart rate of 200 beats per minute.

2. Multiply your maximum heart rate by 0.60. The resulting number represents the minimum number of heart beats per minute that are considered to be within your aerobic range. Using our example of a 20 year old, this would give us 200 x 0.60 or 120 heart beats per minute.

3. Multiply your maximum heart rate by 0.85. The resulting number represents the maximum number of heart beats per minute that are considered to be within your aerobic range. Using our example of a 20 year old, this would give us 200 x 85 or 170 heart beats per minute.

4. Find your aerobic heart rate. Your aerobic heart rate is the range of heart rates between the minimum aerobic rate (calculated in step two) and the maximum aerobic rate (calculated in step three). Using our example of a 20 year old, this would be 120 to 170 heart beats per minute.

Tips & Warnings

• Although aerobic heart rate is represented by a range of rates, the ideal rate is often considered to be 75 percent of an adult's maximum heart rate.
• Gender and weight also play a role in considering the best heart rate at which to exercise.

References

• aboutaerobics.com

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