Heart Rate

Hi all.  How do you calculate where your heartrate should be during excercise.  I run about 1.5 miles and walk another 1 after.  I'm not sure where my heartrate should be both resting and for weightloss.  I'm almost 40 and weigh 181 lbs. 

Here is a web site that will calculate it for you
http://exercise.about.com/cs/fitnesstools/l/bl_THR.htm

Or you can use this

1. Find your resting heart rate as soon as you wake up. You can do this by counting your pulse for one minute while still in bed. You may average your heart rate over three mornings to obtain your average resting heart rate (RHR). Add the three readings together, and divide that number by three to get the RHR. For example,
   
   (76 + 80 + 78) / 3= 78.
2. Find your maximum heart rate and heart rate reserve.
   
   
   • Subtract your age from 220. This is your maximum heart rate (HRmax). For example, the HRmax for a 24-year-old would be
     
     220 - 24 = 196.
   • Subtract your RHR from your HRmax. This is your heart rate reserve (HRmaxRESERVE). For example,
     
     HRmaxRESERVE = 196 - 78 = 118
3. Calculate the lower limit of your THR. Figure 60% of the HRmaxRESERVE (multiply by 0.6) and add your RHR to the answer. For example,
   
   (118 * 0.6) + 78 = 149.
4. Calculate the upper limit of your THR. Figure 80% of the HRmaxRESERVE (multiply by 0.8) and add your RHR to the answer. For example,
   
   (118 * 0.8) + 78 = 172.
5. Divide the values obtained in steps 3 and 4 by the number 6 to obtain your THR in beats per ten seconds. For example,
   
   149 / 6 = 25 (lower limit)
   
   172 / 6 = 29 (upper limit)

Both of these methods produced very similar results.  So if you like doing the math go that way, or you can use the web site listed above.

Scott

Thanks Scott!