According to the material, the target heart rate should be what percent of maximum heart rate?

• A. 60-70 percent
• B. 50-60 percent
• C. 70-85 percent of maximum
• D. 90-100 percent

Answer: (C)

In aerobic training, you aim to exercise at an intensity that toughens the heart without pushing you to complete exhaustion. The target zone for improving cardiovascular fitness is about 70–85% of your maximum heart rate. Working in this range provides enough stimulus to drive adaptations like greater cardiac efficiency and endurance, while still allowing you to sustain effort for a meaningful workout.

Lower intensities, around 50–60% or just above, feel easy and improve health at a basic level but don’t challenge the system enough to produce substantial cardio gains. Very high intensities, near 90–100%, can be effective for some training goals but are hard to maintain safely for most workouts and days, increasing fatigue and risk for injury. So the 70–85% range hits the balance of manageable effort and meaningful cardiovascular improvement.