Key facts
- Best measured first thing in the morning.
- A lower resting rate often indicates better fitness.
- Typically 60–100 bpm; athletes are often lower.
- A rising resting rate can signal fatigue or illness.
Resting heart rate is how slowly your heart beats when you're calm and at rest. A well-conditioned heart pumps more blood per beat, so it doesn't need to beat as often — which is why endurance athletes often have notably low resting heart rates.
It's a handy, free fitness and recovery marker. Measured consistently (ideally upon waking), a gradually falling resting heart rate suggests improving fitness, while a sudden rise can flag accumulated fatigue, poor sleep, stress, or oncoming illness — useful information for managing your training.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good resting heart rate?
A typical range is 60–100 bpm, with fitter people often in the 40s–60s. Lower generally reflects better cardiovascular fitness, though individual variation exists.
Why is my resting heart rate suddenly higher?
An elevated resting heart rate can indicate fatigue, poor sleep, stress, dehydration, or oncoming illness — a useful cue to prioritize recovery.
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