Target Heart Rate Calculator

Welcome to the Target Heart Rate Calculator, a comprehensive fitness tool that calculates your personalized heart rate training zones using the scientifically-backed Karvonen method. Whether you are training for fat loss, building cardiovascular endurance, or pushing for peak athletic performance, this calculator provides accurate target zones tailored to your age and current fitness level.

What is Target Heart Rate?

Target heart rate (THR) is the ideal heart rate range you should maintain during exercise to achieve specific fitness goals while staying safe. Exercising within your target heart rate zone ensures you are working hard enough to improve cardiovascular fitness without overexerting yourself.

Your target heart rate varies based on:

• Your age - Maximum heart rate decreases with age
• Your resting heart rate - Lower resting HR indicates better cardiovascular fitness
• Your fitness goals - Different zones target fat burning, endurance, or performance

The Karvonen Method Explained

This calculator uses the Karvonen method, also known as the Heart Rate Reserve (HRR) method. Unlike simple percentage-of-max calculations, the Karvonen formula accounts for your current fitness level by incorporating your resting heart rate.

Where Heart Rate Reserve (HRR) = Maximum Heart Rate - Resting Heart Rate

The Karvonen method is more accurate because two people of the same age can have very different fitness levels. A person with a resting heart rate of 50 BPM (very fit) will have different target zones than someone with 80 BPM (less fit).

Understanding the 5 Heart Rate Training Zones

Zone 1: Recovery Zone (50-60%)

The lightest training zone, perfect for warm-ups, cool-downs, and active recovery days. At this intensity, your body primarily uses fat for fuel, and you can easily maintain a conversation. Use this zone for recovery runs, easy walks, or gentle cycling.

Zone 2: Fat Burning Zone (60-70%)

Often called the "fat burning zone" because the body uses the highest percentage of fat as fuel at this intensity. This is ideal for building aerobic base, long duration workouts, and sustainable weight loss. You should be able to talk comfortably while exercising in this zone.

Zone 3: Aerobic Zone (70-80%)

The moderate intensity zone that improves cardiovascular efficiency and endurance. Your body uses a mix of fat and carbohydrates for fuel. Conversation becomes more difficult. This is the zone for steady-state cardio and marathon pace training.

Zone 4: Threshold Zone (80-90%)

High intensity training at or near your anaerobic threshold. This zone improves your lactate tolerance and speed endurance. Speaking is difficult, and you can only sustain this intensity for 10-40 minutes. Ideal for tempo runs and interval training.

Zone 5: Maximum Zone (90-100%)

All-out effort that can only be sustained for short bursts (30 seconds to 2 minutes). This zone develops maximum speed, power, and fast-twitch muscle fibers. Used for sprints, HIIT intervals, and race finishes.

How to Measure Your Resting Heart Rate

Accurate resting heart rate measurement is crucial for the Karvonen method. Follow these steps for the best results:

1. Measure in the morning - Take your pulse immediately after waking, before getting out of bed
2. Rest completely - If measuring during the day, sit quietly for at least 10 minutes first
3. Find your pulse - Use your wrist (radial artery) or neck (carotid artery)
4. Count for 60 seconds - Or count for 15 seconds and multiply by 4
5. Repeat over several days - Take the average for most accurate results

Maximum Heart Rate: Formula vs. Measured

This calculator offers two options for maximum heart rate:

Formula-Based (220 - Age)

The traditional formula provides a reasonable estimate for most people. It is simple and widely used, but can be inaccurate by 10-20 BPM for some individuals.

Measured Maximum Heart Rate

If you have completed a supervised max HR test or know your actual maximum heart rate from competitive activity, you can enter it directly for more accurate zones. Methods include:

• Graded exercise test (treadmill or cycle ergometer)
• Field test: 3-minute all-out run after warm-up
• Race data: Max HR observed during competition

Practical Applications

For Weight Loss

Focus on Zone 2 (60-70%) for longer duration workouts. While higher zones burn more calories per minute, Zone 2 is sustainable for longer periods and uses a higher percentage of fat. Combine with some Zone 3-4 training for optimal results.

For Cardiovascular Health

The American Heart Association recommends moderate exercise (Zone 2-3) for at least 150 minutes per week, or vigorous exercise (Zone 4) for 75 minutes per week.

For Athletic Performance

Build an aerobic base with Zone 2 training, then add Zone 4 threshold work and Zone 5 intervals to improve speed and racing ability. Follow the 80/20 rule: 80% easy (Zones 1-2), 20% hard (Zones 4-5).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is target heart rate?

Target heart rate is the optimal heart rate range for exercise that allows you to get the most benefit from your workout while staying safe. It is typically expressed as a percentage of your maximum heart rate and varies depending on your fitness goals - whether you want to burn fat, improve cardiovascular endurance, or increase athletic performance.

What is the Karvonen method?

The Karvonen method, also known as the Heart Rate Reserve (HRR) method, is a formula used to calculate target heart rate zones that accounts for both your maximum heart rate and resting heart rate. The formula is: Target HR = ((Max HR - Resting HR) × Intensity%) + Resting HR. This method is more accurate than simple percentage-of-max calculations because it considers your current fitness level.

How do I measure my resting heart rate?

To measure your resting heart rate accurately: Take your pulse first thing in the morning before getting out of bed, or after resting quietly for at least 10 minutes. Find your pulse on your wrist or neck. Count the beats for 60 seconds, or count for 15 seconds and multiply by 4. For best accuracy, measure over several days and take the average.

What are the 5 heart rate training zones?

The 5 heart rate training zones are: Zone 1 (50-60%) - Recovery zone for warm-up and cool-down; Zone 2 (60-70%) - Fat burning zone optimal for weight loss and base endurance; Zone 3 (70-80%) - Aerobic zone for improving cardiovascular fitness; Zone 4 (80-90%) - Threshold zone for improving speed and lactate tolerance; Zone 5 (90-100%) - Maximum zone for peak performance and speed work.

Which heart rate zone burns the most fat?

Zone 2 (60-70% of max heart rate) is often called the fat burning zone because the body uses a higher percentage of fat for fuel at this moderate intensity. However, higher intensity zones burn more total calories per minute. For weight loss, a combination of Zone 2 training for building aerobic base and Zone 3-4 training for higher calorie burn is most effective.

Is the 220 minus age formula accurate?

The 220 minus age formula provides a rough estimate of maximum heart rate but can be inaccurate by 10-20 beats per minute for many individuals. Factors like genetics, fitness level, and medications can affect actual max HR. For more accurate results, you can perform a supervised max HR test or use your own measured max HR if known.

Additional Resources

• Heart Rate - Wikipedia
• Heart Rate Training - Wikipedia
• Target Heart Rates - American Heart Association