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About Heart Rate Zones
Many athletes use heart rate zones to measure and increase their cardiovascular strength and improve their
level of fitness. A heart rate zone is a set range of heartbeats per minute. The five commonly accepted heart
rate zones are numbered from 1 to 5 according to increasing intensity. Generally, heart rate zones are
calculated based on percentages of your maximum heart rate.
Heart Rate Zone Calculations
Zone
% of Maximum Heart
Rate
Perceived Exertion Benefits
1 50–60% Relaxed, easy pace, rhythmic breathing
Beginning-level aerobic training,
reduces stress
2 60–70%
Comfortable pace, slightly deeper
breathing, conversation possible
Basic cardiovascular training, good
recovery pace
3 70–80%
Moderate pace, more difficult to hold
conversation
Improved aerobic capacity, optimal
cardiovascular training
4 80–90%
Fast pace and a bit uncomfortable,
breathing forceful
Improved anaerobic capacity and
threshold, improved speed
5 90–100%
Sprinting pace, unsustainable for long
period of time, labored breathing
Anaerobic and muscular endurance,
increased power
VO2 Max. Standard Ratings
These tables include standardized classifications for VO2 max. estimates by age and gender.
Males Percentile 20–29 30–39 40–49 50–59 60–69 70–79
Superior 95 55.4 54 52.5 48.9 45.7 42.1
Excellent 80 51.1 48.3 46.4 43.4 39.5 36.7
Good 60 45.4 44 42.4 39.2 35.5 32.3
Fair 40 41.7 40.5 38.5 35.6 32.3 29.4
Poor 0–40 <41.7 <40.5 <38.5 <35.6 <32.3 <29.4
Females Percentile 20–29 30–39 40–49 50–59 60–69 70–79
Superior 95 49.6 47.4 45.3 41.1 37.8 36.7
Excellent 80 43.9 42.4 39.7 36.7 33 30.9
Good 60 39.5 37.8 36.3 33 30 28.1
Fair 40 36.1 34.4 33 30.1 27.5 25.9
Poor 0–40 <36.1 <34.4 <33 <30.1 <27.5 <25.9
Data reprinted with permission from The Cooper Institute. For more information, go to
www.CooperInstitute.org.
Appendix 31
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