Heart rate is affected by age, gender, exercise habits, heredity, cardiovascularfitness level, body conditions (such as hydration), blood volume, and environment (such as humidity and temperature). As an athlete increases his or her exercise intensity, heart rate increases.

Due to all these variables, it is impossible to predict how increased intensity translates into a specific rate of elevation in the heartbeat.

For example, as a individuals improves his or herfitness level, his or her resting heart rate decreases. As a result, it may take a greater effort to elicit a specific heart rate.

Think of it this way – an out-of-shape person huffs and puffs climbing up a flight of stairs.

A fit person can bound up those stairs with ease because his or her heart is already well conditioned. Now, she / he may need to climb up ten flights to significantly raise his or her heart rate.

This adaptation occurs over time and is constantly changing. Response to workout also varies greatly from person to person.

A good way to become more aware of your conditioning and reaction to workout is to monitor changes in your heart rate then of exercise.

Perhaps purchasing a heart rate monitor at a local sporting goods store (or via the Internet) will allow you to better keep track of your heart rate’s ups and downs.

To further understand your heart rate, pay attention to your breathing, sweating, and performance during exercise.