There’s more to attaining optimum fitness than just exercising. In fact, to get an effective workout many things must be considered. One of the most important factors is your heart rate.

Heart rate is the number of times your heart beats per minute. Reach what’s called your Target Heart Rate and the body becomes a calorie burning machine. Miss it and your workout may have been all for naught.

Proper heart rate is so significant to fitness that trainers monitor it when helping clients achieve their fitness goals. It is a gauge of the body’s cardiovascular level.

Much like how a car isn’t fully efficient until the engine has warmed up; your workout hasn’t fully begun until you’ve reached your target heart rate.

When at your target range, you get maximum benefit from your workout. Your body is in fat burning mode. In this zone you are effectively working out. Outside of it you are wasting your time.