Max Heart Rate Calculator

How does this max heart rate calculator work?

This is a useful health tool that will determine your maximum heart rate based on your age put in six different formulas so you can then know how you are impacted and in which training zone you should be put in.

Usually the maximum heart rate (noted HRmax) can be estimate through one of these approximate formulas:

1. Tanaka, Monahan, & Seals:

HRmax = 208 − (0.7 × age)

      2. Haskell and Fox formula:

HRmax = 220 – age

      3. Robergs & Landwehr formula:

HRmax = 205.8 − (0.685 × age)

      4. Gellish gender specific formulas:

- men: HRmax = 203.7 / ( 1 + exp( 0.033 × (age − 104.3) ) )

- women: HRmax = 190.2 / ( 1 + exp( 0.0453 × (age − 107.5) ) )

      5. HRmax often attributed to “Londeree & Moeschberger - University of Missouri":

HRmax = 206.3 − (0.711 × age)

      6. HRmax often attributed to "Miller - Indiana University"

HRmax = 217 − (0.85 × age)

Example calculation for a person aged 28:

• HRmax by Tanaka, Monahan, & Seals formula = 188 bpm

• HRmax by Haskell & Fox formula = 192 bpm

• HRmax by Robergs & Landwehr formula = 187 bpm

• Men HRmax by Gellish formula = 189 bpm

• Women HRmax by Gellish formula = 185 bpm

• a formula often attributed to Londeree & Moeschberger from the University of Missouri = 186 bpm

• a formula often attributed to Miller from Indiana University = 193 bpm

But what is maximum heart rate?

We should first try and define heart rate which is the speed of the heartbeat, measured in beats per minute. This value varies according to physical condition and events such as exercise, sleep or different stressors. The normal resting rate is of 60-80bpm.

Knowing personal variations in these values is important as any significant change can signal some kind of health condition. A fast heart rate can be caused by anemia, fever, overactive thyroid gland, stimulants, stress, heart disease etc. A slow pulse on the other hand can be triggered by heart disease, an underactive thyroid gland, blood clots, diseases of the blood vessels etc.

HRmax is the highest heart rate that can be achieved by a person, usually through exercise and can show how hard one’s heart can work during physical exertion. It is usually determined by genetic factors and it also diminishes with age and training doesn’t seem to have any impact on it.

It can be practically measured through a cardiac stress test but there are also formulas to estimate it like the ones the max heart rate calculator uses. Of course these can have limitations as this rate has individual variations. The estimates are considered averages and there can be differences between individuals of the same age although they might have a similar training.

References

1) Kolata G. (2001) Maximum Heart Rate Theory Is Challenged. New York Times.

2) Tanaka H, Monahan KD, Seals DR. (2001) Age-predicted maximal heart rate revisited. J Am Coll Cardiol.  37(1):153-6.