Do you ever test your heart rate, and could this help you gauge the intensity of your exercise?
The average resting heart rate for an adult is approximately 60-80 beats per minute and is best calculated first thing in the morning. When we lift weights or participate in a class, our heart rate will increase to get more oxygen to our muscles. Depending on our age, our heart rate is able to elevate to what is referred to as maximum heart rate. The easiest formula for calculating max heart rate is 220 minus age.
Did you know you can actually design a workout around a heart rate? And may actually optimize fat burning?
Most people have heard the term “fat burning zone”, which technically means you are maintaining a heart rate that is at a level where burning fat for energy is most efficient. The fat burning zone is 60%-70% of your max heart rate. If your goal is building endurance and building a cardiovascular foundation, staying in this zone may be effective.
Next week’s Fit Tip will teach you how to integrate heart rate intervals for kicking up the calorie burn!