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Heart Rate Zones

Heart rate zone calculator.

Four calculation methods × three zone systems: MaxHR, Karvonen HRR, threshold or Breno protocol, paired with Friel 7-zone, Coggan 5-zone or Breno bike/run zones.

Tanaka: 184 bpm

Your training zones

Z1 · Recovery
Active recovery
120132bpm
Z2 · Aerobic
Base endurance
132145bpm
Z3 · Tempo
Sustained aerobic
145158bpm
Z4 · Threshold
Lactate threshold
158171bpm
Z5a · VO2
Aerobic capacity
171175bpm
Z5b · Anaerobic
Anaerobic
175179bpm
Z5c · Neuromuscular
Max effort
179184bpm

Frequently asked

What is the Karvonen formula?

Karvonen uses heart-rate reserve (HRR): Target = ((MaxHR − RestHR) × %intensity) + RestHR. More accurate than %MaxHR because it accounts for individual fitness.

How do I find max HR?

Best: an all-out 5-min field test or graded ramp. Estimate: Tanaka 208 − (0.7 × age) — more accurate than 220 − age.

Which zone system should I use?

Friel's 7 zones for runners using LTHR or HRR. Coggan's 5 zones for cyclists pegged to threshold HR. The Breno protocol is sport-specific (bike vs. run) and built around max HR.

How often should I update zones?

Every 8-12 weeks, after a 5-bpm change in resting HR, or after any clean threshold test.

From the coach

Zones are the speedometer. The training plan is the engine.

Knowing your HR zones is step one. Step two is a periodized plan that hits the right zone on the right day so the engine actually grows. That's the 1:1 work.

Boston-based · Trilingual EN/PT/ES · RRCA · USAT · TrainingPeaks L2 · 12× Boston qualifier