Pre-solved maximum heart rate for age 50. Tanaka (2001): 173 bpm | Fox (220-age): 170 bpm | Gellish (2007): 172 bpm. Training zones (Tanaka): Z1 Warm-up 86-104 bpm, Z2 Fat Burn 104-121 bpm, Z3 Aerobic 121-138 bpm, Z4 Threshold 138-156 bpm, Z5 VO2 Max 156-173 bpm. AHA moderate intensity: 86-121 bpm. ..
ESTIMATED MAX HEART RATE — AGE 50
173
Tanaka (2001)
Most accurate
208 − 0.7 × age
170
Fox (220−age)
Classic formula
220 − age
172
Gellish (2007)
Validated
207 − 0.7 × age
Max HR declines ~0.7 bpm/year · AHA moderate: 86–121 bpm · Vigorous: 121–147 bpm
5 TRAINING ZONES — AGE 50 (Tanaka HRmax 173 bpm)
| Zone | % | BPM Range | Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Z1 Warm-up | 50-60% | 86–104 | Recovery, very easy |
| Z2 Fat Burn | 60-70% | 104–121 | Fat oxidation, aerobic base |
| Z3 Aerobic | 70-80% | 121–138 | Cardiovascular fitness |
| Z4 Threshold | 80-90% | 138–156 | Lactate threshold, race pace |
| Z5 VO2 Max | 90-100% | 156–173 | Max cardiac output |
| AHA Moderate | 50–70% | 86–121 | 150 min/week recommended |
| AHA Vigorous | 70–85% | 121–147 | 75 min/week recommended |
ZONE BARS — HRmax 173 bpm
FORMULA COMPARISON — AGE 50
Maximum heart rate declines ~0.7 bpm per year after age 20. At age 50, the three validated formulas give 173 bpm (Tanaka), 170 bpm (Fox), and 172 bpm (Gellish). The Tanaka formula is recommended as the most accurate.
What is the maximum heart rate for a 50-year-old?
For a 50-year-old, the estimated maximum heart rate (HRmax) is:\n\nTanaka (2001) — recommended: 173 bpm\nFormula: 208 − (0.7 × 50) = 173 bpm\n\nFox (1971) — classic: 170 bpm\nFormula: 220 − 50 = 170 bpm\n\nGellish (2007) — validated: 172 bpm\nFormula: 207 − (0.7 × 50) = 172 bpm\n\nTraining zones at age 50 (using Tanaka HRmax 173 bpm):\nZ1 Warm-up (50-60%): 86-104 bpm\nZ2 Fat Burn (60-70%): 104-121 bpm\nZ3 Aerobic (70-80%): 121-138 bpm\nZ4 Threshold (80-90%): 138-156 bpm\nZ5 VO2 Max (90-100%): 156-173 bpm\n\nAHA moderate exercise target (50-70%): 86-121 bpm\nAHA vigorous exercise target (70-85%): 121-147 bpm\n\nNote: These are population averages. Your actual HRmax may vary by ±10-12 bpm. The only accurate way to measure HRmax is via a maximal graded exercise test under medical supervision.
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Max heart rate age 50 · Tanaka: 173 bpm · Fox: 170 bpm · Gellish: 172 bpm · Sources: Tanaka et al. (2001), Fox (1971), Gellish et al. (2007)