Exercise heart rates for 40 year olds

Light to Moderate Exercise

The target pulse rate zone for a 40 year old male to burn fat during light to moderate exercise is 90 to 124 beats per minute1. 40 year old females working out to loose weight should exercise between 85 and 118 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 126 to 153 beats per minute for a 40 year old male and between 120 and 145 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 40 year old men, the maximum rate is approximately 180 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 171 beats per minute maximum pulse for a 40 year old female. See also: Resting heart rates for 40 year olds



Exercise heart training zones chart for 40 year old men

% Max Exercise Pulse
90-100% Maximum
Maximize Performance
162-180 bpm
80-89% Hard (Anaerobic Zone)
Maximize Performance & Improve Fitness
144-160 bpm
70-79% Moderate (Aerobic Zone)
Improve Fitness
126-142 bpm
60-69% Light (Recovery Zone)
Weight Loss & Improve Fitness
108-124 bpm
50-59% Very Light
Weight Loss
90-106 bpm

Exercise heart training zones chart for 40 year old women

% Max Exercise Pulse
90-100% Maximum
Maximize Performance
154-171 bpm
80-89% Hard (Anaerobic Zone)
Maximize Performance & Improve Fitness
137-152 bpm
70-79% Moderate (Aerobic Zone)
Improve Fitness
120-135 bpm
60-69% Light (Recovery Zone)
Weight Loss & Improve Fitness
102-118 bpm
50-59% Very Light
Weight Loss
85-101 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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