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CONDITIONINGGUIDELINES
How you begin your exercise program depends on your physical condition. If you have been inactive for
several years or are severely overweight, start slowly and increase your workout time gradually. Increase
your workout intensity gradually by monitoring your heart rate while you exercise.
Remember to follow these essentials:
Have your doctor review your training and diet programs.
Begin your training program slowly with realistic goals that have been set by you and your physician.
Warm up before you exercise and cool down after you work out.
Take your pulse periodically during your workout and strive to stay within a range of 60% (lower
intensity) to 90% (higher intensity) of your maximum heart rate zone. Start at the lower intensity, and
build up to higher intensity as you become more aerobically fit.
If you feel dizzy or lightheaded you should slow down or stop exercising.
Initially you may only be able to exercise within your target zone for a few minutes; however, your aerobic
capacity will improve over the next six to eight weeks. It is important to pace yourself while you exercise
so you don't tire too quickly.
To determine if you are working out at the correct intensity, use a heart rate monitor or use the table
below. For effective aerobic exercise, your heart rate should be maintained at a level between 60%
and 90% of your maximum heart rate. If just starting an exercise program, work out at the low end of
your target heart rate zone. As your aerobic capacity improves, gradually increase the intensity of your
workout by increasing your heart rate.
Measure your heart rate periodically during your workout by stopping the
exercise but continuing to move your legs or walk around. Place two or
three fingers on your wrist and take a six second heartbeat count. Multiply
the results by ten 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 the intensity of your exercise until your heart rate is at the
proper level.
wrist pulse
Target Heart Rate Zone Estimated by Age*
Age
Target Heart Rate Zone
(55%-90% of Maximum Heart Rate)
Average Maximum
Heart Rate 100%
20 years
110-180 beats per minute
200 beats per minute
25 years
107-175 beats per minute
195 beats per minute
30 years
105-171 beats per minute
190 beats per minute
35 years
102-166 beats per minute
185 beats per minute
40 years
99-162 beats per minute
180 beats per minute
45 years
97-157 beats per minute
175 beats per minute
50 years
94-153 beats per minute
170 beats per minute
55 years
91-148 beats per minute
165 beats per minute
60 years
88-144 beats per minute
160 beats per minute
65 years
85-139 beats per minute
155 beats per minute
70 years
83-135 beats per minute
150 beats per minute
* For cardiorespiratory training benefits, the American College of Sports Medicine recommends
working out within a heart rate range of 55% to 90% of maximum heart rate. To predict the
maximum heart rate, the following formula was used: 220 - Age = predicted maximum heart rate
