Rates & sources
Population-average body composition metrics. Always consult a qualified clinician before making health decisions.
Source: NHS — Health A-Z — figures refreshed at the start of each tax year.
When to use this calculator
- Before setting a new health goal or checking whether a plan is realistic.
- When you want to compare different assumptions without tracking them manually.
- When you need a quick baseline before discussing the result with a professional.
- When you are starting a new fitness or diet programme and want an objective starting-point measurement.
- When you want to recheck your numbers after several weeks of change to see whether the metrics are moving in the right direction.
A realistic South Africa planning example
Use these sample inputs as a quick scenario test, then change one variable at a time to compare outcomes.
Age
35
Resting Heart Rate (bpm)
5%
After entering these figures, review max hr, fat burn and aerobic together rather than in isolation — each metric tells a different part of the story. Then rerun the tool with one input adjusted to see which variable has the biggest effect on all three outputs before you settle on a plan.
How to read your results
Max HR
Use this metric to compare scenarios side by side and understand how changes in the key inputs drive the final outcome. If the figure surprises you, isolate one variable at a time and rerun the calculation to identify which assumption is responsible.
Fat Burn
Use this metric to compare scenarios side by side and understand how changes in the key inputs drive the final outcome. If the figure surprises you, isolate one variable at a time and rerun the calculation to identify which assumption is responsible.
Aerobic
Use this metric to compare scenarios side by side and understand how changes in the key inputs drive the final outcome. If the figure surprises you, isolate one variable at a time and rerun the calculation to identify which assumption is responsible.
Threshold
Use this metric to compare scenarios side by side and understand how changes in the key inputs drive the final outcome. If the figure surprises you, isolate one variable at a time and rerun the calculation to identify which assumption is responsible.
VO2 Max
Use this metric to compare scenarios side by side and understand how changes in the key inputs drive the final outcome. If the figure surprises you, isolate one variable at a time and rerun the calculation to identify which assumption is responsible.
Method & assumptionsAuthoritative sources
Heart rate zone calculators estimate your training zones based on your maximum heart rate (MHR), which is most commonly approximated using the formula 220 minus your age. More accurate results can be achieved using the Karvonen formula, which incorporates your resting heart rate to calculate Heart Rate Reserve and produces personalised zone thresholds. Each zone corresponds to a different physiological effect and training stimulus. It is worth understanding that MHR formulas are population averages — individual maximum heart rates can vary by 10 or more beats per minute from what the formula predicts. Wearable devices using optical heart rate sensors also introduce measurement error. For accurate zone calibration, a supervised exercise test with a sports physiologist is the gold standard approach.
Common mistakes
- !Using optimistic assumptions without testing a more cautious scenario as well.
- !Comparing outputs from different tools without checking that the inputs match.
- !Treating the result as a final figure rather than a broad planning indicator.
- !Entering estimated rather than accurately measured height or weight, which can shift BMI or healthy-weight results meaningfully.
- !Interpreting a single metric in isolation instead of reading it alongside the other outputs the tool provides.
What to do next
- Rerun the calculator in six to eight weeks with updated measurements to track progress objectively.
- Use the related health calculators to build a fuller picture before discussing any changes with a professional.
- Open one of the linked guides if you want more context on what the metrics mean and how they relate to each other.
- If a result falls outside the normal range, book a GP appointment to discuss it rather than acting on the figure alone.
- Note the date alongside your results so you have a clear before-and-after record when you recheck later.
Frequently asked
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End-of-article next steps
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