Fitness Goals
Knowing your heart rate zones can help you measure and improve your fitness by understanding and applying
these principles.
• Your heart rate is a good measure of exercise intensity.
• Training in certain heart rate zones can help you improve cardiovascular capacity and strength.
If you know your maximum heart rate, you can use the table (
Heart Rate Zone Calculations, page 46
determine the best heart rate zone for your fitness objectives.
If you do not know your maximum heart rate, use one of the calculators available on the Internet. Some gyms
and health centers can provide a test that measures maximum heart rate. The default maximum heart rate is
220 minus your age.
Heart Rate Zone Calculations
Zone
% of Maximum Heart
Rate
Perceived Exertion
Benefits
1
50–60%
Relaxed, easy pace, rhythmic breathing
Beginning-level aerobic training,
reduces stress
2
60–70%
Comfortable pace, slightly deeper
breathing, conversation possible
Basic cardiovascular training, good
recovery pace
3
70–80%
Moderate pace, more difficult to hold
conversation
Improved aerobic capacity, optimal
cardiovascular training
4
80–90%
Fast pace and a bit uncomfortable,
breathing forceful
Improved anaerobic capacity and
threshold, improved speed
5
90–100%
Sprinting pace, unsustainable for long
period of time, labored breathing
Anaerobic and muscular endurance,
increased power
46
Heart Rate Features
