Measuring your heart rate entails counting the number of times your heart beats per minute. Checking your own heart rate can be achieved manually by taking your pulse. To do this, place two fingers on the inside of your wrist, below the base of your thumb. Apply gentle pressure until you feel your pulse. Count the number of beats you feel in 15 seconds and multiply that number by four to get your heart rate per minute. Alternatively, you can use a heart rate monitor or a smartwatch to measure your heart rate.
Monitoring your heart rate is important because it can provide insights into your overall health and fitness. A healthy resting heart rate typically ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. A lower resting heart rate can indicate good cardiovascular health, while a higher resting heart rate may be a sign of an underlying health condition. Tracking your heart rate during exercise can also help you gauge the intensity of your workout and ensure you’re exercising within your target heart rate zone.