How do I measure resting and exercise heart rates? What is the Karvonen Formula?
The resting heart rate is most accurately assessed when measured for a full minute first thing in the morning before you get out of bed. Place your finger tips on the side of your neck (carotid pulse) or at your wrist on the thumb side (radial pulse). Avoid using too much pressure when using the carotid pulse to measure heart rate. To measure exercise heart rate, count the pulse for six seconds and add a zero to obtain the approximate heart rate. For example, if 14 beats are counted, this would equate to a heart rate of approximately 140 beats per minute (bpm). For a slightly more accurate monitoring, count the pulse for 10 seconds and multiply by six. For example, if you count 24 beats, multiplying this by six would equate to a heart rate of approximately 144 bpm. To determine a training heart rate using the Karvonen Formula: Determine the following heart rate parameters in beats per minute (bpm): Resting Heart Rate (RHR): your pulse at rest (most accurate when measured for a full min
