# Maximum heart rate

Maximum heart rate (HRmax) is the highest beats per minute the heart reaches during all-out exertion. It is largely determined by age and genetics, not fitness, and declines with age. HRmax sets training zones for Zone 2 and HIIT. The classic 220 minus age formula is rough; Tanaka (208 − 0.7 × age) outperforms it, especially in older adults, but direct measurement in a maximal test remains the gold standard.

## Sources

- Tanaka H, Monahan KD, Seals DR. (2001). Age-predicted maximal heart rate revisited. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0735-1097(00)01054-8

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_Canonical: https://longevity-germany.com/en/glossary/maximum-heart-rate · Part of Longevity Cities · Updated 2026-01-15_