1. What is Max Heart Rate?

Max heart rate (HR) is the highest number of beats per minute your heart can achieve during maximal physical exertion. The most common formula to estimate max HR is: 220 minus your age.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard max HR equation:

Where:

• \( Age \) — Your current age in years

Explanation: This formula provides a simple estimate of your maximum possible heart rate based on age.

3. Importance of Max HR Calculation

Details: Knowing your estimated max HR helps determine appropriate exercise intensity levels and target heart rate zones for training.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Simply enter your age in years. The value must be valid (between 1-120).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How accurate is the 220-age formula?
A: It's a general estimate with standard deviation of about 10-12 bpm. Individual max HR can vary significantly.

Q2: Are there alternative formulas?
A: Yes, some suggest 208 - (0.7 × age) or other variations, but 220-age remains the most widely used.

Q3: Does max HR change with fitness level?
A: No, max HR is primarily age-dependent and doesn't significantly change with fitness, though resting HR does.

Q4: When should I measure my actual max HR?
A: Max HR testing should only be done under medical supervision during graded exercise testing.

Q5: How should I use my max HR number?
A: It's used to calculate target heart rate zones (typically 50-85% of max HR) for different exercise intensities.