How do I tell if my heart rate is ok when i exercise?

Question

If I am not breathless and feel fine, is it likely my heart rate is fine, or can it be too high without me knowing? I don't have one of those little machines that tell you your heart rate. Would I be able to feel it if there was something wrong?

Answer 1

Here is a neat trick to estimate your heart rate.

Rate your percieve exertion from 12-20. (12 as extremely easy and 20 as extremetly hard).

Add 0 at the end and that will provide you with an estimate heart rate.

For example, if you perceive your jogging to around 16-17, then your heart rate is around 160-170 beats per second.

I hope that makes sense,

Arnel Ricafranca

Answer 2

If you reach high heart rate within short period of exercise, that means your 'exercise reserve' is low. But if your heart rate rises after longer period, it shows you have better reserve. Say, your target rate is 192 and the resting rate is 60, then you have a reserve of 192-60 = 132.This allows you longer period of exercise before you reach target rate. Now this reserve accrues on consistent work outs over a period of time. This will bring your resting rate to lower levels. Because resting heart rate changes are multifactorial, this response does not happen in all, as in your case where resting heart rate remained unchanged, though your exercise tolerance has improved. So what to do? The link between exercise and lower resting rate as an indication of fitness is less reliable as is shown in many cases including yours. This bench mark is now being replaced by 'Recovery rate.' What is it? Check your pulse exactly 1 minute after a vigorous exercise. If it fall by 30 beats, then you are in good shape (say, if you reached a peak of 180 and the rate falls to 150 after 1 minute). If it falls by 50, then you are in excellent shape. Use the 'Recovery Rate' in future to assess the benefit of exercise. Best of luck.

Answer 3

Count your pulse rate for 10 seconds during exercise. Depending on your age, anything between a count of 20 to 30 is fine. Above 30 probably isn't so clever and below 20 you're probably dead! No, seriously a count of between 20 and 30 should be fine. It wouldn't be too high without you knowing - you'd be breathless and sweating and you'd know all about it!

Answer 4

The cunning plan is that you do get out of breath!!

Heart rate monitors are not very expensive. You can buy them online. Most gym equipment such as cross trainers etc have heart rate sensors that you can hold on to which will give you your heart rate.

Even when you're heart is pounding, unless you have an underlying condition, there is no need to worry. Its what you're meant to do when you exercise!! Whilst working in the aerobic zone (where you can casually have a chat while exercising) has its benefits, its the anaerobic zone (where you get out of breath) where training becomes really effective and you get fit.

Answer 5

U can check your own heart rate by reading your pulse. Count how many times u feel a little pump for ten seconds. Feel either at your inner wrist or neck area (NOT with your thumb - try first two fingers). There are health sites u can check for guidelines. U seem young - and I'm thinking that u might not be working as hard as u potentailly could - try challenging yourself more - but maybe see a doc forst or do your research first. Good Luck! :)

Answer 6

You can measure your own pulse by placing two fingers on the cartoid artery in your neck, and by checking the pulse in your wrist. Could the beats whilst you time 10 seconds then multiply the answer by 6 to get Beats per Minute.

I've just checked mine, and considering I'm at rest it's an unusally high 96. OMG

Answer 7

of a healthy person the heart beat rate is about 72 per minute. if the body is running fever then the pulse rate rises by 6 beats per degree F. so a person can know his body temp even if there isnt a thermometer around

Answer 8

If all your other signs are fine, then that would normally indicate that your heart (and rate) were ok. If you are worried about you heart rate, you could pause for 1 minute between training and take your pulse. At rest, my heart can be abour 45bpm and then while training it goes upto 170bpm.

Answer 9

you should buy one of those watches that monitors your heart rate, calaried burning and temp of you. you can get them cheap from local chemist if you are in the uk

Answer 10

as long as it keeps beating you are fine