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12
CONDITIONING GUIDELINES
The following general guidelines will help you to plan
your exercise program. Remember that proper nutri-
tion and adequate rest are essential for successful
results.
EXERCISE INTENSITY
Whether your goal is to burn fat or to strengthen your
cardiovascular system, the key to achieving the
desired results is to exercise with the proper intensity.
The proper intensity level can be found by using your
heart rate as a guide. The chart below shows recom-
mended heart rates for fat burning, maximum fat burn-
ing, and cardiovascular (aerobic) exercise.
To find the proper heart rate for you, first find your age
at the bottom of the chart (ages are rounded off to the
nearest ten years). Next, find the three numbers above
your age. The three numbers are your “training zone.”
The lower two numbers are recommended heart rates
for fat burning; the highest number is the recommend-
ed heart rate for aerobic exercise.
Fat Burning
To burn fat effectively, you must exercise at a relative-
ly low intensity level for a sustained period of time.
During the first few minutes of exercise, your body
uses easily accessible
carbohydrate calories
for ener-
gy
. Only after the first few minutes of exercise does
your body begin to use stored
fat calories
for energy
. If
your goal is to burn fat, adjust your pace until your
heart rate is near the lowest number in your training
zone as you exercise.
Maximum Fat Burning
F
or increased fat burning, adjust your pace until your
heart rate is near the middle number in your training
zone as you exercise.
Aerobic Exercise
If your goal is to strengthen your cardiovascular sys-
tem, your exercise must be “aerobic.” Aerobic exercise
is activity that requires large amounts of oxygen for
prolonged periods of time. This increases the demand
on the heart to pump blood to the muscles, and on the
lungs to oxygenate the blood. For aerobic exercise,
adjust your pace until your heart rate is near the high-
est number in your training zone.
HOW TO MEASURE YOUR HEART RATE
To measure your
heart rate, first exer-
cise for at least four
minutes. Then, stop
exercising and place
two fingers on your
wrist as shown.
Take a six-second
heartbeat count,
and multiply the result by 10 to find your heart rate.
For example, if your six-second heartbeat count is 14,
your heart rate is 140 beats per minute. (A six-second
count is used because your heart rate will drop rapidly
when you stop exercising.)
Adjust your pace until your heart rate is at the desired
level.
WORKOUT GUIDELINES
Each workout should include the following three parts:
A
warm-up
, lasting 5 to 10 minutes. Begin with slow,
controlled stretches, and progress to more rhythmic
stretches to increase the body temperature, heart rate,
and circulation in preparation for strenuous exercise.
(See SUGGESTED STRETCHES on page 13.)
WARNING:
Before beginning this or any exercise pro-
g
ram, consult your physician. This is espe-
cially important for persons over the age of 35
or persons with pre-existing health problems.