How to Determine Optimal Fat Burning Pulse

If you are going to exercise, you want it to count. You want every bit of energy to translate to the maximum amount of fat burning. When you know your target heart rate and fitness level you can determine your optimal fat burning pulse. Determining your optimal fat burning pulse is a matter of performing a few simple mathematical calculations. The calculations build on one another so it helps to write them down for your records.

Things You'll Need

• Watch with second hand
• Calculator
• Pencil
• Paper

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Instructions

• 1

  Determine your maximum heart rate. Start with the number 220 and subtract your age. Write down the result. The maximum heart rate for a person who is 40 years old, for example, is 180 (220 - 40 = 180).

• 2

  Determine your target heart rate. According to the American Heart Association, your target heart rate is between 50% and 85% of your maximum heart rate.

• 3

  Multiply your maximum heart rate by both .50 and .85 (note that these are decimals). Write down the results. The target heart rate range for a 40-year-old, for example, is between 90 and 153 (180 x .50 = 90; 180 x .85 = 153).