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Heart rate zones

Enter your age and resting heart rate to get five training zones, worked out with the Karvonen method.

If you do not know it, we estimate 220 minus your age

  1. Zone 1Very easy, recovery–
  2. Zone 2Easy, you can talk–
  3. Zone 3Moderate, steady–
  4. Zone 4Hard, threshold–
  5. Zone 5Maximum, short efforts–

A rough guide, not medical advice. Real maximum heart rate varies a lot between people. If you have a heart condition or take medication, talk to a doctor before training by heart rate.

How it is worked out

The Karvonen method uses your heart rate reserve: max heart rate minus resting heart rate. Each zone is a share of that reserve, added back on top of your resting rate.

Zone 1 is 50 to 60%, zone 2 is 60 to 70%, zone 3 is 70 to 80%, zone 4 is 80 to 90% and zone 5 is 90 to 100%.

Questions

How do I measure my resting heart rate?

In the morning before you get up, count your pulse for a full minute, and average a few days.

Why is 220 minus age not exact?

It is an average across many people. Yours can be well above or below it. If you know your max from a test, enter it.