Garmin Lily 2 Owners Manual - Page 40

Fitness Goals Knowing your heart rate zones can help you measure and improve your fitness by understanding and applying these principles. • Your heart rate is a good measure of exercise intensity. • Training in certain heart rate zones can help you improve cardiovascular capacity and strength. If you know your maximum heart rate, you can use the table (Heart Rate Zone Calculations, page 36) to determine the best heart rate zone for your fitness objectives. If you do not know your maximum heart rate, use one of the calculators available on the Internet. Some gyms and health centers can provide a test that measures maximum heart rate. The default maximum heart rate is 220 minus your age. 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 36 Appendix