Beginners Calculating the Heart Rate Reserve By Wendy Bumgardner Wendy Bumgardner Wendy Bumgardner is a freelance writer covering walking and other health and fitness topics and has competed in more than 1,000 walking events. Learn about our editorial process Updated on October 31, 2020 Medically reviewed Verywell Fit articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and nutrition and exercise healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Vanessa Nzeh, MD Medically reviewed by Vanessa Nzeh, MD Vanessa Nzeh, MD, is an internal medicine and pediatrics physician who is passionate about patient advocacy, the integration of maternal and child health, as well as increasing diversity and inclusion in medical education. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Verywell / Ryan Kelly The heart rate reserve (HRR) is the difference between a person's resting heart rate and maximum heart rate. It is the range of heart rate values that you can see for an individual, between the lowest they have at rest and the highest they can achieve through exertion. Heart rate reserve is used to calculate heart rate exercise zones by the Karvonen formula. In studies, the heart rate reserve has been found to compare well with the oxygen consumption reserve (VO2R) for estimating exercise energy expended at different exertion levels. Target Exercise Intensity The Karvonen Formula uses the heart rate reserve number before calculating the heart rate percentage of maximum numbers for target heart rates. You need to know your resting heart rate by taking your pulse first after awakening and before getting out of bed. Then you need to know your maximum heart rate, which can be estimated by subtracting your age from 220 (classic Karvonen Formula) or 206.9 - (0.67 x age) with the updated formula. This formula may not be accurate if you are in very good aerobic condition for your age. So, athletes may use other methods to determine their maximum heart rate. With these two numbers, the Karvonen Formula is Exercise HR = % of target intensity (HR Max – HR Rest) + HR Rest. The middle term is the heart rate reserve, which is then multiplied by the percentage of target intensity desired, and then the resting heart rate is added back in. If you want to exercise in the moderate-intensity zone, the percent of the target intensity defined by the CDC is from 50% to 70%. Increasing Your Heart Rate Reserve Maximum heart rate is mostly age-based and difficult to change with exercise, with only small effects seen. The implications for heart rate reserve is that you would increase it most by lowering the resting heart rate. The resting heart rate is seen to be lowered by increasing cardiovascular fitness, although overtraining can result in a temporary increase in the resting heart rate. To achieve a larger functional heart rate reserve, the chief mechanism is to lower the resting heart by building cardiovascular fitness with activities such as brisk walking, jogging, running, cycling, and other endurance exercises. These cardio exercises challenge the lungs and heart and when engaged in regularly they build cardiovascular capacity. 1 Source Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Yabe H, Kono K, Onoyama A, et al. Predicting a target exercise heart rate that reflects the anaerobic threshold in nonbeta-blocked hemodialysis patients: The Karvonen and heart rate reserve formulas. Ther Apher Dial. 2021;25(6):884-889. doi:10.1111/1744-9987.13628 Additional Reading Jackson, Andrew S. "Estimating Maximum Heart Rate From Age: Is It a Linear Relationship?" Med Sci Sports Exerc. 39(5):821, May 2007. Swain, DP. "Energy cost calculations for exercise prescription: an update". Sports Medicine. 2000 Jul;30(1):17-22. Tanaka H, Monahan KD, Seals DR. Age-predicted maximal heart rate revisited. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2001 Jan;37(1):153-6. Zavorsky, GS. "Evidence and possible mechanisms of altered maximum heart rate with endurance training and tapering". Sports Med. 2000 Jan;29(1):13-26. By Wendy Bumgardner Wendy Bumgardner is a freelance writer covering walking and other health and fitness topics and has competed in more than 1,000 walking events. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Helpful Report an Error Other Submit