RESTING HEART RATE

Normal resting heart rates are in a very wide range of numbers, which is why this test is not so much a measurement of you being compared to a norm, but more a measurement of you being compared to yourself over time.  Ranges vary anywhere from 40 beats per minute up to 100 beats per minute.  Ideally you want to be between 60-90 beats per minute.

Average resting heart rate for a man is 70 beats per minute, and for a woman is 75 beats per minute.

Do keep in mind that an elevated resting heart rate might mean that you have not completely recovered from the most recent exercise session.  If your resting heart rate is chronically high, and you are a regular vigorous exerciser, this could indicate that you are over training, and you should see a doctor.

There are many factors that influence your resting heart rate, including stress, food, excitement, room temperature, and previous physical exertion. Therefore your resting heart rate should be taken while sitting quietly and not after participating in vigorous activity. If possible, you should sit quietly for at least 30 minutes before measuring it. Take it several times to make sure it is stable.

Your resting heart rate should not be changing as rapidly as it does after exercise, so you can count for either 10 seconds and multiply by 6, 30 seconds and multiply by 2, or count for the full minute.

Most highly-trained endurance athletes have low resting heart rates. Most untrained subjects who participate regularly in a good aerobic fitness program will experience a decrease in their resting heart rates. Your score can, in very general terms, be evaluated as follows: