Exercise heart rates for 18 year olds

Light to Moderate Exercise

The target pulse rate zone for a 18 year old male to burn fat during light to moderate exercise is 101 to 139 beats per minute1. 18 year old females working out to loose weight should exercise between 95 and 131 bpm. This exercise range corresponds to 50% to 69% of the maximum target rate for your age.

Moderate to Intense Exercise

The American Heart Association recommends hard exercise up to 85% of your maximum heart rate1. The target zone during intense exercise (70% to 85% of maximum heart rate) ranges from 141 to 172 beats per minute for a 18 year old male and between 133 and 162 for females.

Maximum Heart Rate

Maximum heart rate is the upper threshold that your cardiovascular system can sustain during physical exertion. This rate decreases with age. The maximum heart rate for males (HRmax) can be estimated using the Karvonen method as 220 minus your age. So for 18 year old men, the maximum rate is approximately 202 beats per minute. A modified HRmax formula specific to women has been developed as 206 minus 88 percent of your age2. This method results in a 190 beats per minute maximum pulse for a 18 year old female. See also: Resting heart rates for 18 year olds



Exercise heart training zones chart for 18 year old men

% Max Exercise Pulse
90-100% Maximum
Maximize Performance
182-202 bpm
80-89% Hard (Anaerobic Zone)
Maximize Performance & Improve Fitness
162-180 bpm
70-79% Moderate (Aerobic Zone)
Improve Fitness
141-160 bpm
60-69% Light (Recovery Zone)
Weight Loss & Improve Fitness
121-139 bpm
50-59% Very Light
Weight Loss
101-119 bpm

Exercise heart training zones chart for 18 year old women

% Max Exercise Pulse
90-100% Maximum
Maximize Performance
171-190 bpm
80-89% Hard (Anaerobic Zone)
Maximize Performance & Improve Fitness
152-169 bpm
70-79% Moderate (Aerobic Zone)
Improve Fitness
133-150 bpm
60-69% Light (Recovery Zone)
Weight Loss & Improve Fitness
114-131 bpm
50-59% Very Light
Weight Loss
95-112 bpm


Source Citations

  1. American Heart Association Target Heart Rates
  2. Martha Gulati, MD et al., Circulation Heart Rate Response to Exercise Stress Testing in Asymptomatic Women


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