What is the simple formula commonly used to estimate maximum heart rate for finding target heart rate?

• A. 220 - age
• B. 200 - age
• C. Age + resting heart rate
• D. 220 + age

Answer: (A)

You’re being tested on how to estimate maximum heart rate to set a training target. The standard quick method is to subtract your age from 220, which gives an approximate HRmax you can use to determine your target heart-rate zone for different intensities. For example, a 30-year-old would have about 190 bpm as HRmax, and you’d aim for a percentage of that depending on the workout goal. The other options don’t fit because subtracting age from 200 isn’t the established rule, adding resting heart rate to age comes from a different method that personalizes targets using heart-rate reserve, and adding age to 220 would produce an unrealistically high number. The 220 minus age rule is a simple, commonly taught starting point for estimating HRmax, acknowledging it’s an approximation.