Find Your Target Heart Rate

One way to know if you’re exercising enough to get your heart fit is to measure your target heart rate, or the rate at which your heart should be beating in the middle of your exercise routine.

To calculate your target heart rate, first find your maximum heart rate in beats per minute (BPM) by subtracting your age from 220. Then take 70–85 percent of your maximum heart rate to get your target heart rate.

For example, if you are 40 years old:
Subtract your age from 220: 220m – 40 = 180
Multiply by 70 percent for the low range: 180 x 0.70 = 126
Multiply by 85 percent for the high range: 180 x 0.85 = 153
Target exercise heart rate: 126 – 153 beats per minute (BPM)

To measure heart rate, place your fingers on the radial artery at the center of your wrist and count the beats for 10 seconds. Multiply by 6 to get your target heart rate.

These are the heart rates to target while exercising: