Fitness Tip:

 

Heart rate is in important variable when it comes to correct choices for exercise intensity.  Depending on your age, level of conditioning, and your fitness goals, you should train in a particular heart-rate zone.  As general recommendations, beginners should try to elevate their heart rate to 50%-60% of their maximum while intermediates and advanced should shoot for 70%-85% of their max.  The higher your heart rate, the more calories you will burn and potentially, the more fit you can become. To figure your age predicted, maximum heart rate, simply subtract your age from 220.  For example, if you were 30 years old, you would have a maximum heart rate of 190.  To work at 70% of your maximum heart rate, you would shoot for a heart rate of approximately 133 beats per minute (0.7 x 190).  When checking to see if you are in the correct range, you can count bpm (beats per minute) for 10-seconds and then multiply by six.  Just be careful not to depend so much on the numbers as you do on how you feel.  If it feels too hard, back off of the intensity.