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16
CONDITIONING GUIDELINES
The following guidelines will help you to plan your ex-
ercise program. Remember—these are general guide-
lines only. For more detailed exercise information, ob-
tain a reputable book or consult your physician.
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 recommended
heart rates for fat burning and aerobic exercise.
To find the proper heart rate for you, first find your age
on 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 smaller two numbers are recommended heart
rates for fat burning; the larger number is the recom-
mended heart rate for aerobic exercise.
Fat Burning
To burn fat effectively, you must exercise at a relatively
low intensity level for a sustained period of time. During
the first few minutes of exercise, your body uses easily
accessible carbohydrate calories for energy. Only after
the first few minutes does your body begin to use
stored fat calories for energy. If your goal is to burn fat,
adjust the speed of the treadmill until your heart rate is
near the low end of your training zone.
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 the speed and incline of the treadmill until your
heart rate is near the middle of your training zone.
WORKOUT GUIDELINES
Each workout should include the following three parts:
A Warm-up
Start each workout with 5 to 10 minutes of stretching
and light exercise (see SUGGESTED STRETCHES on
page 17). A proper warm-up increases your body tem-
perature, heart rate, and circulation in preparation for
exercise.
Training Zone Exercise
After warming up, increase the intensity of your exer-
cise until your pulse is in your training zone for 20 to
60 minutes. (During the first few weeks of your exer-
cise program, do not keep your pulse in your training
zone for longer than 20 minutes.) Breathe regularly
and deeply as you exercise—never hold your breath.
A Cool-down
Finish each workout with 5 to 10 minutes of stretching
to cool down. This will increase the flexibility of your
muscles and will help prevent post-exercise problems.
EXERCISE FREQUENCY
To maintain or improve your condition, complete three
workouts each week, with at least one day of rest be-
tween workouts. After a few months, you may com-
plete up to five workouts each week if desired.
The key to success is to make exercise a regular and
enjoyable part of your everyday life.
WARNING: Before beginning this
or any exercise program, consult your physi-
cian. This is especially important for individu-
als over the age of 35 or individuals with pre-
existing health problems.
The pulse sensor is not a medical device.
Various factors, including your movement, may
affect the accuracy of heart rate readings. The
sensor is intended only as an exercise aid in
determining heart rate trends in general.