1. What is Cycling Heart Rate Zone?

Heart rate zones in cycling are ranges that correspond to different intensity levels of training. They help cyclists train at the right intensity for their goals, whether it's endurance, fat burning, or performance improvement.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the heart rate zone formula:

Where:

• \( RestHR \) — Resting heart rate (bpm)
• \( MaxHR \) — Maximum heart rate (bpm)
• \( Percent \) — Training intensity as decimal (0.5-1.0)

Explanation: The formula calculates the target heart rate for a specific training zone based on your personal heart rate range (between resting and maximum).

3. Importance of Heart Rate Zones

Details: Training in specific heart rate zones helps optimize workouts for different goals: recovery, endurance, tempo, threshold, and VO2 max improvement.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your resting heart rate (measured in the morning), your maximum heart rate (from testing or estimation), and the desired intensity percentage (0.5-1.0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I measure my resting heart rate?
A: Measure it first thing in the morning before getting out of bed, using a heart rate monitor or by feeling your pulse for 60 seconds.

Q2: What are typical heart rate zones for cycling?
A: Common zones are: Zone 1 (50-60%), Zone 2 (60-70%), Zone 3 (70-80%), Zone 4 (80-90%), and Zone 5 (90-100%).

Q3: How accurate is maximum heart rate estimation?
A: The "220 - age" formula is rough. For better accuracy, do a max heart rate test under supervision.

Q4: Should heart rate zones change over time?
A: Yes, as your fitness improves, your resting HR may decrease and your zones may need adjustment.

Q5: Are these zones the same for all sports?
A: No, heart rate response varies by activity. Cycling zones are typically lower than running zones at the same perceived effort.