Heart Rate for the Optimal Workout

Where should your heart rate be for the optimal workout? Well, this is one of those "consult your doctor" questions, and if not a doctor, then a trainer. The truth is, at least in the beginning, where your heart rate should be for the optimal home elliptical machine workout depends. It depends on you, your age, your fitness level, your goals. Aerobic? Anaerobic? Cardiovascular? Weight loss? There are plenty of formulas out there, but the short answer is: It depends on you.

You'll know when you're overdoing it on the elliptical machines, which does no one any good. You'll know when it's too easy and your heart rate is too low, and your elliptical machine workout is far from ideal. What you're looking for is a good, steady pace, something that will challenge you, but not kill you, something you can keep up for 20 minutes. As you progress, you can push harder, or go longer; then you can worry about numbers.

What's the Best Rate for Burning Fat?
Most people are using a Weslo elliptical machine for an aerobic workout. This means they want to hit their optimal heart rate for a long period of time, at least 20 minutes, in order to burn fat calories. As stated earlier, you can find this zone for yourself through feel. Once you're somewhat confident in your level of fitness, then you can get out the calculator:

The American Medical Association says an adult's maximum heart rate is 220 minus his or her age. The best heart rates for burning calories are between 50 and 75 percent of maximum, with the most calories burned from fat coming from the lower percentages in that range, but while working out for longer periods of time. Working out at a rate on the higher end of that spectrum will burn more calories, but less from fat - though it will do more for your breathing, circulation, and heart.

The best commercial elliptical machines are ellipticals with heart-rate monitors and adjust their resistance in order to make you work hard enough to reach your ideal heart rate. These programs help put the proverbial carrot in front of you in order to help you reach your fitness goals. They also help keep the workout fresh by increasing your heart rate anywhere from 50 percent through 90 percent at varying intervals and for various lengths of time throughout the workout.

Body-Solid Endurance Electronic E5 Elliptical Machine