Heart rate recovery calculator
Assess your heart rate recovery after exercise from your heart rate measured right when you stop, then one minute later. A fast drop is generally associated with good cardiovascular fitness.
How it works
Heart rate recovery measures how quickly your heart slows down after exertion. It is calculated by subtracting your heart rate taken one minute after stopping exercise from the one measured right at the end of the effort. The bigger the drop, the faster your autonomic nervous system and heart return to their resting state.
How do I measure both heart rates correctly?
Exercise at a sufficiently intense level (running, cycling, climbing stairs) for several minutes, then stop completely and take your pulse immediately (peak heart rate). Then stay still, seated or standing, and take your pulse again exactly one minute later. A heart rate monitor or smartwatch gives a more reliable reading than taking your pulse by hand.
What does a low recovery mean?
A drop of less than 12 beats per minute is sometimes associated with a lower level of cardiovascular fitness or a less responsive autonomic nervous system, but it can also depend on fatigue, temperature, caffeine or the intensity level reached during exercise. This result is purely informational and in no way replaces medical advice: if your heart rate recovery is persistently low or you experience unusual symptoms, consult a healthcare professional.
The calculation runs entirely in your browser: none of the data you enter is sent to a server.