Heart Rate Calculator – Be Physically Top Fit Using The Karnoven Formula

Cardiovascular workouts, also called cardio by many, are exercises that use the large body muscles and cause the heart rate to rise. Examples of cardio workouts are jogging, swimming, cycling, dancing and a lot more. Remember that even short exercises are better than having none at all. Now, once you’re used to working out, the next question is, how intense should your exercise be?

Nearly all exercisers, specifically athletes, make use of a heart rate calculator to track the intensity of their trainings. A heart rate calculator uses the Karnoven formula, which calculates a person’s exercise heart rate and helps estimate the right target heart rate zone. Developed by a Scandinavian physiologist, this formula uses the number known as heart rate reserve. The difference between a person’s maximum heart rate and resting heart rate is referred to as heart rate reserve (HRR). The heart rate of a person when he is at rest is called resting heart rate (RHR). Max HR, meanwhile, refers to the highest number of times the heart can beat in a minute.

Nearly all experts would advise to have your heart rate fall within 60 to 85 percent of your Max HR. Use the formula 220 minus age (220 less your age) multiplied by either sixty or eighty-five percent to compute for the Max HR. If you are 30 years old, for example, subtract 30 from 220, which would give you a Max HR of 190. Next, multiply the result by 60 to 85 percent of your Max HR, which would give you 114 or 162. Therefore, the 60 percent and 85 percent of your Max HR is 116 bpm and 162 bpm, respectively.

When a person decides to start on an exercise program, use the lower number first ( sixty-percent) to calculate for the target heart rate. This runs specifically true for beginners. The lower number is used to prevent people from injuring themselves during workout. Karnoven method of target heart rate is done by finding the difference between resting heart rate and maximum heart rate multiplied to sixty percent; then, add the result to resting heart rate.

Therefore, if you’re a 30-year old man with a RHR of 65, this method would give you a THR of 140 bpm. Then, as your exercise gradually increases, you may want to use the higher number (which is eighty-five percent) to calculate your THR. Again, using the Karnoven method, this would give you a THR of 171 bpm. Having at least 140 bpm until 171 bpm will give you the best health benefits during cardio workouts.

Nearly all exercisers reap some benefits from a heart rate calculator. One can find quite a few heart rate calculators on the internet which can be used right away to get the target heart rate. However, learning the Karnoven heart rate calculator can guide a person on his overall cardio workout experience.