Resting Heart Rate Your resting heart rate is the number of times your heart beats per minute when you’re at rest. A good time to check it is in the morning after you’ve had a good night’s sleep, before you get out of bed or grab that first cup of java! For training purposes we often refer to your resting heart as the heart rate before you begin exercise(starting heart rate).
For most of us, between 60 and 100 beats per minute (bpm) is normal.1 The rate can be affected by factors like stress, anxiety, hormones, medication, and how physically active you are. An athlete or more active person may have a resting heart rate as low as 40 beats per minute. Now that’s chill!
When it comes to resting heart rate, lower is better. It usually means your heart muscle is in better condition and doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain a steady beat. Studies have found that a higher resting heart rate is linked with lower physical fitness and higher blood pressure and body weight.
Know Your Numbers: Maximum and Target Heart Rate
This table shows target heart rate zones for different ages. Your maximum heart rate is about 220 minus your age. 220-age=
In the age category closest to yours, read across to find your target heart rates. Target heart rate during moderate intensity activities is about 60-70% of maximum heart rate, while during vigorous physical activity it’s about 70-85% of maximum.