What is a good heart rate for women?

Target heart rates in women vary depending on a woman's age and level of activity. The average resting heart rate for adult women is between 60 and 100 beats per minute. This number decreases among athletes and with increasing age, according to the American Heart Association.

It is best to determine the resting heart rate first. This is the number of times the heart beats at rest. Heart rate increases with exercise. During moderately intense exercise, heart rate should increase by 50 to 69 percent. During hard physical activity, heart rate should increase by 70 to less than 90 percent above resting heart rate, according to the American Heart Association.