Exercising is great for your body for a number of different reasons, but working out the right way is even more important. One way to determine whether or not you are working your body too hard or not working your body hard enough is to monitor your heart rate through the duration of your session.
Heart rates taken during a workout show how hard you heart is working. The heart rate is an effective way to evaluate the intensity of the workout and to make sure you are not overdoing it for your body. If you measure your heart rate during your exercise and find that you aren’t working as hard as you could be, then you can use that as motivation to push harder and ensure that you are getting the most out of your workout that you possibly can.
In order to gain the most from a workout, you must maintain your target heart rate as best you can. The target heart rate is the number of heartbeats per minute that you should accomplish while exercising, and working out in your target heart rate zone guarantees that your body will burn enough calories without burning more than your body needs.
To calculate your target heart rate, subtract your age from 220. This is your maximum heart rate which is the rate you should only stay in for up to 1 minute at a time during your workout. Multiply your maximum heart rate by .70 to get your target heart rate which is where you should approximately spend most of your workout, and aim to stay for at least 20 minutes at this level. Shorter workouts, such as those used in high-intensity training, may be even more effective but require maximal exercise effort, at or nearing the maximal heart rate for age.
Monitoring your heart rate isn’t only great for newbies to figure out how intense their workouts should or shouldn’t be, but can benefit the most experienced exercisers by allowing them to reach their fitness goals. You will know you aren’t working hard enough if you monitor your heart rate and it doesn’t go above your resting heart rate. This can help you figure out how to adjust your workout in order to get the results you want.Heart rate monitors come in a variety of formats including watches and apparatuses attached to some gym equipment.
By monitoring your heart rate every workout, you’ll begin to see what you are truly capable of as your endurance improves each workout. This is how you will know that your heart is becoming stronger and more effective. Seeing the results you are aiming for will only make you want to push yourself harder and make your body stronger.