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14
CONDITIONING GUIDELINES
The following guidelines will help you to plan your
exercise program. For more detailed exercise informa-
tion, obtain a reputable book or consult your physi-
cian.
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 and aerobic exercise.
To find the proper heart rate for you, first find your age
on the left side of the chart (ages are rounded off to
the nearest ten years). Next, find the three numbers to
the right of your age. The three numbers are your
“training zone.” The lower two numbers are recom-
mended heart rates for fat burning; the higher number
is the recommended 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 ener-
gy. 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 or incline of the tread-
mill until your heart rate is near one of the lower two
numbers in 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 or incline of the treadmill until your
heart rate is near the higher number in your training
zone.
HOW TO MEASURE YOUR HEART RATE
To measure your
heart rate, stop exer-
cising and place two
fingers on your wrist
as shown. Take a six-
second heartbeat
count, and multiply
the result by ten to
find your heart rate.
(A six-second count is used because your heart rate
drops quickly when you stop exercising.) If your heart
rate is too high or too low, adjust the speed or incline
of the treadmill accordingly.
USING THE HAND WEIGHTS
The included hand weights let you add upper body
exercise to your workouts. As you walk on the tread-
mill, hold the .45-kg (1-lb.) weights at your sides or
press the weights above your head. To increase the
intensity of your exercise, use the 1-kg (2-lb.) or 1.4-
kg (3-lb.) weights.
WARNING: Do not use the hand weights at speeds
faster than a walk. Using weights and not holding
the handrails may compromise your ability to
maintain your balance. Exercises using weights
should be attempted only by experienced users.
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. A proper warm-up increases your
body temperature, heart rate, and circulation in prepa-
ration for exercise.
WARNING: Before beginning
this or any exercise program, consult your
physician. This is especially important for
individuals over the age of 35 or individuals
with pre-existing health problems.