Listen to Your Heart
Recovery Heart Rate
Your heart rate should be below 120 bpm after two to five minutes after exercise stops, depending on your fitness level. If the heart rate is higher, insufficient cool-down or a low fitness level may be the cause. Slow heart rate recovery can also be due to illness or exercising too strongly. If this is the case, reduce the intensity of the exercise, which will result in an adjustment to your heart rate.
2–5 minutes after exercise
Heart rate should be below 120 bpm. A quicker drop indicates better cardiovascular conditioning.
End of aerobic workout
A final heart rate check should be below 100 bpm to confirm adequate cool-down.
If recovery is slow
Slow heart rate recovery can be caused by insufficient cool-down, low fitness level, illness, or exercising too intensely. Reduce the intensity of your exercise and monitor the result. If your heart consistently takes longer than expected to recover, consult with your physician.
Courtesy of International Fitness Association (IFA)
www.ifafitness.com
Fitness Training Manual version 5.9, written by Chuck Krautblatt
Copyright 1995, 1998, 2000 by IFA