Heart rate is often characterized as the number of times the heart beats per minute. It's a good indication of not only your health, but also your level of fitness. The lower the heart rate, the more efficient your heart is likely working. Heart rate is also used as a tool to determine your target heart rate zone for exercise.
Minimum Heart Rate
Minimum heart rate is just another name for your resting heart rate. It's the number of times your heart beats per minute before you exert yourself. According to Dr. Edward R. Laskowski, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist with the Mayo Clinic, healthy adults typically have a resting heart rate of anywhere between 60 and 100 beats per minute.
Pulse
Your pulse is the most common test used to calculate your minimum heart rate. The American Heart Association recommends taking your heart rate before getting out of bed. Place the middle and index fingers on the underside of the wrist or to one side of your Adam's apple. Count the number of beats you feel over the course of 30 seconds and then multiply this number by 2 to arrive at your minimum heart rate.
Orthostatic
Orthostatic heart rate test is another assessment utilizing your minimum heart rate. This test indicates whether or not you're overtraining your body. To take this test, lie down for 15 minutes before measuring your pulse. As before, place the middle and index fingers on the wrist or neck and count the beats for 30 seconds. Multiply this number by 2. Stand up and take your pulse again after about 15 seconds. Subtract the first number from the second to determine your orthostatic rate. If this number is greater than 15 to 20 beats, it's a good indication that you're training too hard and need more time between your workouts for recovery.
Target Heart Rate
Sometimes minimum heart rate is used in reference to the intensity level of exercise to reach your target heart rate zone. The low end of this zone is considered your minimum target heart rate, which is roughly 50 percent of your maximum heart rate. Maximum heart rate is 220 beats per minute minus your age. If you're 38 years old, your maximum heart rate is 182 beats per minute. During exercise, you're looking at a goal of 91 beats per minute to reach your minimum target heart rate. To test your heart rate while exercising, use the same method as previously state. Place the middle and index fingers to the wrist or neck and count the beats for 30 seconds. Multiply this number by 2 to determine if you've reached your minimum target heart rate.
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