I finally got a heart rate monitor to make sure Im working at my optimum, but I can't seem to find any consistency on what my target heart rate should be.

I tried a few online calculators, including the one from the Mayo Clinic, but they're all different. I got a range of 95-152. With around 71 my resting heart rate, I think 95 is kind of low.

Any recommendations on the best way to calculate my target heart rate zone?

Well, I just read that a convention is to subtract your age from 220. SO, I'm 63 and I take that away from 220 and get 157.

However, the chart on the wall of my gym says for my age it should be 150, as does the information that came with my heart monitor. That's the number I use.

Hello,
I'm not sure how to calculate the number but my doctor gave me a specific number to go by. If you have a doctor you go to then i would ask them. I don't knwo hoe much help i was but thought i would put my 2 cents in lol
Have a Blessed DaY!

there is no one specific number. your target heart rate depends on what type of intensity you are trying to work out at. the basic formula 220-age gives you an estimate of your maximum heart rate. high intensity exercise (such as sprinting) should be approximately 85% of your max heart rate. Moderate intensity (running) is usually ~65-75% of you max heart rate. Slow, recovery style workouts or warm up/cool downs (walk, jog) are at ~50-60%.

Thank you all!

are heart rate monitors necessary for working out at the gym? most of the machines that i work out on , like the treadmill, bike and ellipticals, all have a heart rate monitor. but im not sure if its accurate...

I don't trust the monitors on machines at all. I got on one while wearing my heart rate monitor once...the machine put my rate after jogging a lap at 87...the HRM put it closer to 160. There's no way after jogging a lap my heart rate wasn't higher than 87....

In the same gym the elliptical said I burned 57 calories after half an hour. So...definitely I don't trust the machine's counters...

It's been a long, long time since I used any machines, but I would think having something read what you're body is doing at that moment would be more accurate than something that is estimating. Mine is just a watch you put your index finger and middle finger on and it gives you a read (and it's pink!!).

I worked out with it for the first time today and really enjoyed seeing where I was during different points in my workout.