1. What is Heart Rate Reserve?

Heart Rate Reserve (HRR) is the difference between your maximum heart rate and resting heart rate. It represents the full range of heart rate response available to your body during exercise.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple HRR formula:

Where:

• \( Max\ HR \) — Maximum heart rate (beats per minute)
• \( Resting\ HR \) — Resting heart rate (beats per minute)

Explanation: HRR shows your heart's capacity to respond to exercise demands by measuring the difference between your maximum and resting rates.

3. Importance of HRR Calculation

Details: HRR is used to determine exercise intensity zones, particularly in the Karvonen formula for target heart rate calculation during workouts.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both maximum and resting heart rates in beats per minute (bpm). For accurate results, measure resting HR in the morning before getting out of bed.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I measure my maximum heart rate?
A: The most accurate method is through a graded exercise test. The "220 - age" formula is a rough estimate.

Q2: What's a normal resting heart rate?
A: Typically 60-100 bpm for adults, with athletes often having lower rates (40-60 bpm).

Q3: When should I measure my resting HR?
A: Best measured first thing in the morning while still in bed, before any activity.

Q4: What affects heart rate reserve?
A: Fitness level, age, genetics, medications, and cardiovascular health all influence HRR.

Q5: How is HRR used in exercise training?
A: It helps determine target heart rate zones for different training intensities (e.g., 60-80% of HRR for moderate exercise).