The easiest places to take your heart rate are at the wrist and the side of the neck. To take your heart rate at the wrist, place your first two fingers together on the inside of your opposite wrist about ½ inch below where you wrist bends. Pressing lightly, feel for a pulse and count it for 30 seconds. Multiply the count by two to get your heart rate per minute.

To take your heart rate at the side of the neck, place your first two fingers just under your jaw bone. If you can’t find your pulse right away, slowly move you fingers around, pressing harder or softer until you feel a pulse. Count the number of pulses for 30 seconds. Multiply the count by two to get your heart rate per minute.

The heart rate graph below shows you the appropriate ranges depending on your age. When you are physically active, you should strive to stay within the Target Heart Rate Zone indicated for you.