How High Should My Heart Rate Be?
To get the most out of a cardio workout, you will first want to figure out what your maximum heart rate (beats per minute) is. To do that, subtract your age from 226 for women or 220 for men. Now, you don't want to workout at your maximum heart rate. You want to workout in your target heart rate zone, which the American Heart Association suggests is 50% to 75% of the maximum heart rate for healthy people. You would calculate more toward 50% if you are just getting in shape and more toward 75% if you are in great shape.
Here is a sample calculation for a 40-year-old woman just getting started in cardio workouts.
226 - 40 (her age) = 180 maximum heart rate (beats per minute)
180 x .50 = 90 heart beats per minute as her target heart rate
Make it easy on yourself when you are working out, by figuring that the number of beats you need in just 10 seconds will be your target heart rate divided by 6. In our sample case, 90 divided by 6 is 15. She will want to count 15 beats in 10 seconds to be at her target heart rate.
You can also find many target heart rate calculators online.
Count Your Heart Beats Per Minute:
To figure out how many times your heart is beating in a minute, place two fingers at the back corner of your lower jaw and then slide down an inch or so until you feel your pulse through the carotid artery in your neck. Count the number of beats in 10 seconds and then multiply by 6 to get your beats per minute.
Compare Prices on Heart Rate Monitors:
How Long Should I Keep My Heart Rate Up?
How long your cardio sessions should be depends on your level of fitness and your goals. The American Heart Association, in conjunction with the American College of Sports Medicine, recommends a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity five days per week, or at least 20 minutes of vigorous activity 3 days per week. These are minimums, but you may still need to work up to these levels as you increase your aerobic fitness. The important thing is to begin a program.
* Please note that I have presented general guidelines for maximum and target heart rates that are given to healthy adults. If you are overweight or have other health issues, consult with your healthcare professional before beginning a cardio program.
