Target Heart Rate

The approximate number of heartbeats per minute at which your heart should beat during aerobic exercise. There are several different ways to monitor your heart rate. You can take your pulse at either the wrist or the carotid artery; you can use a heart rate monitor, or you can use the RPE scale (Rate of Perceived Exertion - a scale developed by Dr. Gunnar Borg for use in testing where a subject rates how they are feeling during an activity).

This calculator uses the Karvonen formula to determine target heart rate and should only be used as a guideline. Beginners may want to start at 50% intensity or lower.