Ok, I just got my HRM I've been wanting for months. Got it all set up and just did a test run...well bike ride. LOL

So since I'm not a fitness guru....what should my heart rate be when riding my bike or exercising? It only got up to 108. Resting mine is usually 68. Now I'm 46 yrs old and weigh 194 right now.

What HR should I be shooting for or does it matter?

Thanks,

You want to be between 122-148 and that's hard on a bike unless you are going uphill or pedaling really fast. Higher than 148 and you will be in anaerobic territory, good for races when you want a sprint to the finish, and lower than 122 and you aren't really doing your heart the most good although you are burning more calories than just sitting around. Keep it between 122-148 (a couple higher or lower won't matter, and as you get more fit it will be harder to get it in that area) and you will be making your heart and lungs stronger and increasing your stamina and endurance. Your monitor probably has a way to set alarms to let you know when you are above or below your target rate. It's a great tool!

Here's a really good site that goes into greet detail in understanding how to determine & train in the correct HR zone for your age, weight & conditioning.

http://www.howtobefit.com/five-heart-rate-zones.htm

Kudos on getting a HR monitor! It can make a huge difference in making sure you get the most out of your workouts!