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ALWAYSCONSULTYOURPHYSICIANBEFOREBEGINNINGANEXERCISEPROGRAM.
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HOWOFTEN?(Frequencyof Workouts)
The American Heart Association recommends that you exercise at least 3 to 4 days per week to maintain
cardiovascular fitness. If you have other goals such as weight or fat loss, you will achieve your goal faster with
more frequent exercise. Whether it's 3 days or 6 days, remember that your ultimate goal should be to make
exercise a lifetime habit. Many people are successful staying with a fitness program if they set aside a specific
time of day to exercise. It doesn't matter whether it's in the morning before breakfast, during lunch hour or while
watching the evening news. What's more important is that it's a time that allows you to keep a schedule, and a
time when you won't be interrupted. Tobe successful with your fitness program, you have to make it a priority in
your life. So decide on a time, puff out your day planner and pencil in your exercise times for the next month!
HOWLONG?(Durationof Workouts)
For aerobic exercise benefits, it's recommended that you exercise from between 24 and 60 minutes per session.
But start slowly and gradually increase your exercise times. If you've been sedentary during the past year, it may
be a good idea to keep your exercise times to as little as five minutes initially. Yourbody will need time to adjust
to the new activity. If your goal is weight loss, a longer exercise session at lower intensities has been found to
be most effective. A workout time of 48 minutes or more is recommended for best weight loss results.
HOWHARD?(Intensityof Workouts)
How hard you workout is also determined by your goals. If you useyour treadmill to prepare for a 5t{ run, you
will probably work out at a higher intensity than if your goal is general fitness. Regardless of your long term
goals, always begin an exercise program at low intensity. Aerobic exercise does not have to be painful to be
beneficial! Thereare two ways to measure your exercise intensity. Thefirst is by monitoring your heart rate using
the grip pulse handlebars and the second is by evaluating your perceived exertion level (this is simpler than it
sounds!).
PERCEIVEDEXERTIONLEVEL
A simple way to gaugeyour exercise intensity is to evaluateyour perceived exertion level. While exercising, if you
are too winded to maintain a conversation without gasping, you are working out too hard. A good rule of thumb
is to work to the point of exhilaration, not exhaustion. If you cannot catch your breath, it's time to slow down.
Always be aware of these warning signs of overexertion.