Your RHR (Resting Heart Rate) is the number of heart beats per minute when your body is resting. The "beats" (Beats Per Minute or BPM) are the number of times your heart is contracting.

How do I measure my RHR?
By counting the number of beats per minute via your pulse.

So How do I take my pulse?
This is normally the easiest pulse to find. On the inside of your wrist, in line with your thumb, you will find your pulse. Place the tips of your index and middle fingers on your pulse and press down slightly (not too hard.) Count the beats for 15 seconds. Multiply this by 4to give the heart rate per minute.
To measure your pulse via your neck place your first two fingers gently on your neck at the side of your throat. Do not press too hard. Count the beats for 15 seconds. Multiply this by 4 to give the heart rate per minute.

You can also use this calculator when calculating your beats per minute for your Exercise Heart Rate Zone
© RHR Calculator created by
Mandy Gibbons,
http://www.virtualfitnesstrainer.com, 2000, 2001, 2002

The best time to take your RHR is first thing in the morning when you wake up. If you follow a regular health and fitness routine you may find that your RHR is lower than someone who is very unfit. Why? Because when you are unfit your heart has to work allot harder which increases your heart rate. So the number of beats per minute will be higher.

"Backspace" to remove the examples from the boxes below and enter in your own details. Follow the instructions (left) and take your pulse using your watch or a clock to time the 15 seconds. Type the number of beats you counted in the box below!