26
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 recom-
mended heart rates for fat burning and 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 define your “train-
ing zone.” The lower two numbers are recommended
heart rates for fat burning; the higher number is the
recommended heart rate for aerobic exercise.
To measure your heart rate during exercise, use the
heart rate monitor. If your heart rate is too high or too
low, adjust the speed and grade of the hiker.
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 en-
ergy. 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 grade and speed of the hiker
until your heart rate is near the lowest number in your
training zone.
For maximum fat burning, adjust the grade and speed
of the hiker until your heart rate is near the middle
number 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 grade and speed of the hiker until your heart
rate is near the highest number in your training zone.
PROGRAM GUIDELINES
Each program should include the following three parts:
A Warm-up—Start each program with 5 to 10 minutes
of stretching and light exercise. A proper warm-up in-
creases your body temperature, heart rate and circula-
tion in preparation for exercise.
Training Zone Exercise—After warming up, increase
the intensity of your exercise until your heart rate is in
your training zone for 20 to 60 minutes. (During the
first few weeks of your exercise program, do not keep
your heart rate in your training zone for longer than 20
minutes.) Breathe regularly and deeply as you exer-
cise—never hold your breath.
A Cool-down—Finish each program with 5 to 10 min-
utes of stretching to cool down. This will increase the
flexibility of your muscles and will help prevent post-ex-
ercise problems.
Exercise Frequency
To maintain or improve your condition, complete three
programs each week, with at least one day of rest be-
tween programs. After a few months, you may com-
plete up to five programs 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.
