Travel Fit Tip: Find Your Optimal Heart Rate

To achieve the maximum benefit of exercise, you need to increase your heart rate to at least 65% of maximum, but no more than 85% of maximum.

To quickly calculate your optimal heart rate:

Maximum Overall Rate (MOR) = 220 - your age

Minimum Heart Rate for Exercise = MOR x .60

Maximum Heart Rate for Exercise = MOR x .85

For example, for a 38 year-old person, the maximum overall heart rate is 182 (220-38). To get the maximum benefit from exercise, the 38 year-old should elevate his/her heart rate to at least 109 (182 x .60) but no more than 155 (182 x .85).