subject: Heart Monitor Wristwatch: Exactly What Does Your Maximum Heart Rate Count For? [print this page] If you're taking the time to look into the purchase of a heart rate monitor watch, then it also is a good time to learn the meanings of the different statistical numbers and what your heart rate should and should not be. By using a heart rate monitor watch you can stay on top of your health and make sure you're getting the maximum benefit from the exercise time you are putting in.
In concept, your heart's top output should be your maximum heart rate. That is the most beats per minute your heart can physically perform. It is important not to go beyond this because you put yourself in real risk of physical damage if you do.
What is your maximum heart rate?
A good way to estimate your pulse, or heart rate maximum for a male, is to take the number 220 and subtract your age from that number. So for example if you're 50 years old, your maximum heart rate would be 170. If you are a female, that maximum should be calculated by subtracting your age from 206.
Now, this does not mean you should work out at this level. That would be a huge mistake. Actually, you should never work out of more than 85% of your maximum heart rate. Otherwise, you could be endangering yourself both from the perspective of your heart but also from your bone and muscle system.
Why does your maximum heart rate make any difference?
Well, you need to know your maximum heart rate so you can calculate the percentages that you're actually reaching in a workout. Most exercise professionals suggest that you workout in a zone of 60 - 80% of your maximum.
The only way to really know that is to purchase a heart monitor watch and use it every time you go to the gym or on a run. By integrating a heart monitor watch in your workout, you can bring a whole new dimension to your exercise life. It allows you to focus your efforts and really grade your performance. Without it, you could be guilty of just "working out" with no particular purpose in mind and just trying to check it off your list that you been to the gym.
In conclusion, understanding your top heart rate is the only way to really establish what your workout zone and potential really is. What I mean by that is that by understanding your maximum heart rate you can benchmark the percentage of that top rate that you will operate in to create an exercise profile and optimize the time that you're spending the gym.
Getting a heart rate monitor watch is the only way to stay on top of these numbers if you are active physically. In most cases, these watches will allow you to record a number of previous exercise sessions as well to refer back to them and see what your heart rate was and how your health is improving.
