What is a Good Heart Rate for My Age? Both Resting & Maximum

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Associated Article: The Best Body Measurements for Men

Have you ever wondered, "what is a good heart rate for my age"? This is a pretty common question many of us ask our doctor during checkups, but wouldn't it be nice to be able to keep tabs on it between those appointments on your own?

Now as a doctor myself, I'm certainly not suggesting doing away with routine health checkups, especially if there's any cause for concern. But, I also believe in giving you some basic information that will empower you to keep tabs on things like your heart rate on your own. It's much easier to stay healthy when you're aware of your body's signals.

That's why I put together this brief video to help you both determine what a good heart rate for your age is along with some strategies to measure and manage it. Again, this video is not meant to replace visits with your doctor, especially if you find yourself in a potentially dangerous range. That being said, it will give you some basics on how to better moderate your heart rate, and maybe catch a problem before it becomes more serious. Enjoy!

Your friends here at the FFP,

-Dr. Balduzzi + The Men's Health Experts @ The Fit Father Project

**Disclaimer: This information is for reference purposes ONLY and cannot replace personal information you can and should discuss with your Doctor. If you have any concerns about your health, you should see your Doctor immediately. Results vary by individual, so we do not guarantee you will get the same results as any shown here or on our website.

[stevezodiac]

The rule of 220 minus age was originally invented for cardiac patients, to prevent them from over exerting their suspect hearts during light exercise. Doctors would typically take this rule, then subtract a percentage heart rate from it as a factor of safety, to not put patients at risk of further cardiac damage. In reality hearts are similar to other parts of humans, like arms or legs, they are different from person to person. I for instance am 64, therefore my max heart rate according to your rule should be 156, in reality it is 187 found from maximum stress testing, racing as fast as i can up a long hill and my resting heart rate has been as low as 36. When exercising at my aerobic threshold ( the intensity i can maintain for at least a few hours) my heart rate is 171 bpm, even that is well above your 220 rule figure. I have been a cycling time triallist all my life to quite a high level. For fit individuals, the 220 minus age rule is completely and utterly wrong.

[TrishCanyon]

Mine is usually 56. I'm a 71 y/o female. I walk at least 5 miles a day, weights/resistance training daily moderately. I just started training jiu-jitsu.

[robhoyt]

About a month ago I was weighing about 230, my resting heart rate was 72-75 bpm depending on the day. Blood pressure was always elevated or pre hyper tension. I ate horrible, didnt exercise, drank way too much coffee and would only sleep 4-5 hours a night. I then changed my diet (not go on a diet) cut out all caffeine, only drink water, and have very well balanced healthy clean diet. Lean meats, veggies, fruits, grains etc. I supplement now. Do 20-30 mins cardio 5-6 days a week. I keep active even when at the office or home. Just started doing the Fit Father 24 min workout a few days ago. And now have a normal blood pressure, resting heart rate of 60 bpm, have lost 18 lbs, think clearer, sleep better and for longer, have more energy, and just overall feel better then I have in years! I am 39 by the way.

[bikersoncall]

2:42 Helpful, informative chart.
3:05 How to check heart rate.
3:29 Exercise heart rate/age.

[griffinstadler]

I’m 26 and have a resting heart rate of 56 bpm. I lift pretty strenuously 7 days a week and I try to walk 20-30 miles a week. I’ll never stop trying to keep my heart rate below 60 bpm.

[lovingmylifeasIage]

Mine is 56 bpm at 65 years old according to my doctor and my blood pressure is 114/66. My doctor told me that if my rate remains the same in 6 months, he will take me off of bp meds. He told me to cut in half now from 10 mg to 5 mg. I started to do intermitted fasting with keto for the past 5 months.

[BluffMunkey]

I think it's important to identify what a true resting heart rate is. My GP told me that unless I find time in the day to sit quietly and relaxed for 30 minutes or more (not on a full stomach) then the only true resting heart rate I'll be able to measure is within a couple of minutes of waking up in the morning. At that time mine is usually a few BPM either side of 60, but it's unlikely to get much under 70 for the rest of the day, usually between 70-80 and as high as 90 while 'resting' after a big evening meal. I think unless people know that, they could fall into the trap of thinking their resting HR is actually higher than they think.

[tommunyon]

Spent first 18 years at 7600 ft above sea level, and walked about 4 miles per day just round trip to school. Resting heart rate was 44 bpm, and spirometry revealed 120% lung capacity, when I graduated from high school.

[carlcilenti]

I'm not sure how accurate the rates our for resting. I'm almost 60, I run 3 x a week and swim 3 x a week, my resting heart rate is 45. That above an athlete.

[johnaldersley]

I’m now 71, was once super fit, and got a wake up call that decades of hypertension have taken their toll on my heart. I’ve gone from resting heart of 32-34 at age 21 (already losing fitness) to now it’s 79 and was higher before recommencing aerobic activity. Taking an ARB has reduced my BP to normal and reenergised me. I have an enlarged heart but aside from some stiffness, it is probably somewhat regressable with a return to exercise.

[smitbar]

I am male, slim, 60 years old and run and or cycle most days of the week. Just checked mine rested, 14 beats in 15 seconds x 4 = 56 bpm, well pleased

[Warmsunset]

My average resting heart rate is generally around 42. My present age is 53 years. When i was younger, my best resting heart rate was 38. Then i was fully into my bicycling. My heart rate is as it is, via genetics. My mother has a low heat rate also. Pity it does not slow the ageing process. 😉😉

[davidcoomber]

My resting heart rate is 52, I cycle everyday up hill for training sessions of one hour with my max heart rate of 140 which I can maintain for forty minutes periods, I’m a 70 year old male

[loriwelch]

I started brisk walking five days a week, three miles. My resting heart rate at night went from 62 to 55. I’m 62, I’ve already watched my weight and exercised

[george]

At 73 my resting heartrate is between 48-55 per Apple Watch Series 8.
Active, walk between 10-12, 000 steps per day. Gym 3-5 times a week.

[Thorny_Misanthrope]

I'm 51 and so was my resting heart rate today. I'm thirty pounds overweight, but I do walk many miles and occasionally jog between four or five miles on a weekend.

[locovidepro]

I came here because my heart rate was getting low while exercising. I was off from doing it for about 3 months since I had an inguinal hernia surgery. Finally, I started a very slow workout but I was feeling extremely exhausted and short of breath and I noticed that my heart rate was dropping to 70 -80 then when I stopped to catch up I noticed started to go up to about 137 which normally as soon as I started exercising my heartbeats started rising up to 120-156. Do you think that is something bad? I am 56 of age. Thank you so much for your videos.
—Jorge in Florida.

[IbrahimAli-xtvg]

I am 34 years old I need to lose 80 pounds. My resting heart rate was around 90s. two months ago I started healthy life style. Going to the gym, jogging, walking. I lost the first 23 pounds. Now my heart rate on waking is between 58 to 62

[keithw]

I’m taking no credit here, but at age 62 my resting is as low as 45 typically it’s under 50. I don’t really exercise that much, but I walk a fair bit. 30 minutes at 6kph on a treadmill at 7.5% incline. It’s actually split into three parts, the machine stays the same speed, but starts at 5% for ten minutes (115 bpm), then 7.5% for ten (135 bpm) and finishes at 10% for last ten minutes (165 bpm). I do that about three times per week. I sauna afterwards and actually sauna most days (followed by cold 3-4 minute shower). I have been doing this for a couple of months, prior I have not really done anything, had desk job for 30 years, with last ten being intermittent hard physical.

[bobbybbobu]

29M, mine usually at around 46 to 60 with a BP of average 109/66. I do Cardio 40mins 5 days a week and do OMAD.