What is max heart rate?

Maximum heart rate is the highest heart rate an individual can achieve through exercise stress. It is often estimated with the formula 220 minus your age. However, this formula is a rough estimation and actual maximum heart rates can vary widely among individuals, even among those of the same age and similar fitness levels. For instance, a 40-year-old's estimated maximum heart rate would be around 180 beats per minute, but real-world values can differ significantly based on individual factors like fitness level and cardiovascular health 1 2.

It's important to note that maximum heart rate is not a definitive indicator of physical fitness, and achieving or surpassing this rate is not necessarily a goal to strive for in every workout. Monitoring heart rate can be useful in designing effective training programs that target different aspects of fitness, including cardiovascular and anaerobic capacities 3 4.