Question about target heart rate....

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-07-2003
Question about target heart rate....
4
Wed, 09-01-2004 - 11:12am
Hey ladies...I'm hoping you can help me out here. I've been going to the gym for about a week now (I know - a WHOLE week). Anyway, I'm trying to figure out what my target heart rate should be. I've looked online and I get anything from 130 to 170 BPM. Does anyone have a site/calculator/equation that they use to compute their THR? This exercise stuff is confusing. :-) I'm going to try the elliptical machine today - wish me luck!

Amanda

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-22-2004
Wed, 09-01-2004 - 11:19am
Hi Amanda

First and foremost hey a week is better than not going.

Secondly there are a lot of recent studies out that really say that is not a huge factor in weight loss.

The heart rate is a suggested rate that your heart should be pumping. It has a lot to do with oxygen and all sorts of things that lead to speeding up your metabolisim. Bottom line my trainer has told me at my weight 235.5 to try and stay around 150. It depends on your height, weight and age.

Most people will say that it doesnt matter and I have tracked it with my weight loss for certain weeks and it has not made a difference in my weight loss amounts.

You should be slighty short of breath but be able to complete slow sentances, should not feel dizzy, lightheaded, or have any tingiling in your arms, fingers, legs or toes. Always a safe rule.

Good luck at the gym

~ JODI ~

293.5/235.5/175

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
Wed, 09-01-2004 - 1:45pm
Your target heart rate really should be a range. The formula that is most commonly cited is 60-80% of your maximum heart rate. Your maximum heart rate is found by subtracting your age from 220. That's just a rough guide, though, and what your heart rate should be during exercise depends on your fitness level.

http://health.yahoo.com/health/centers/weight_loss/10004

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-07-2003
Wed, 09-01-2004 - 2:06pm
Thanks, ladies! I have a better understanding but will ask a trainer at the gym to see what their opinion is. I think my range is between 120 and 160...I've been using 155 as my max, but I might drop that down to about 145 and see how that works. Thanks again!

Amanda

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-17-2004
Wed, 09-01-2004 - 3:23pm
I agree with jess on this one.

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