17
CONDITIONING GUIDELINES
The following guidelines will help you to plan your
exercise program.
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
burning, and cardiovascular (aerobic) exercise.
To find the proper heart rate for you, first find your age
near 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 lowest number is the recommended heart
rate for fat burning; the middle number is the recom-
mended heart rate for maximum fat burning; and the
highest number is the 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 the intensity of your
exercise until your heart rate is near the lowest num-
ber in your training zone as you exercise.
For maximum fat burning, adjust the intensity of your
exercise until your heart rate is near the middle num-
ber 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 exer-
cise 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 intensity of your exercise until
your heart rate is near the highest number in your
training zone.
HOW TO MEASURE YOUR HEART RATE
Stop exercising and
place two fingers on
your wrist as shown.
Take a six-second heart-
beat count, and multiply
the result by 10 to find
your heart rate. For
example, if your six-sec-
ond 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 desired level.
WORKOUT GUIDELINES
Each workout should include the following three parts:
A warm-up
, consisting of 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.
Training zone exercise
, consisting of 20 to 30 min-
utes of exercising with your heart rate in your training
zone. (During the first few weeks of your exercise
program, do not keep your heart rate in your training
zone for longer than 20 minutes.)
A cool-down
, with 5 to 10 minutes of stretching. This
will increase the flexibility of your muscles and will
help to prevent post-exercise problems.
WORKOUT FREQUENCY
To maintain or improve your condition, complete three
workouts each week, with at least one day of rest
between workouts. After a few months of regular exer-
cise, you may complete 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 persons
over the age of 35 or persons with pre-existing
health problems.