A Simple Formula for Gauging Progress

One way to measure your fitness improvement is by heart rate. As your fitness improves, your heart doesn't have to pump as often, resulting in a decrease in your heart rate. An easy way to measure this is by taking your pulse both before and after your workout. Your heart rate should return to its before workout rate within five minutes. If it takes longer to drop, cut back your workout intensity. Then begin increasing intensity gradually. If recovery takes less than 2 minutes, you not working hard enough. Continue to use this technique until you find the rate balance of intensity for your goals.