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HEART RATE
As you exercise, your heart beat increases. This is often used as a measure of the required intensity of
an exercise. You need to exercise hard enough to condition your circulatory system, and increase your
pulse rate, but not enough to strain your heart.
Your initial level of fitness is important when developing an exercise program for you. When starting,
you can get a good training effect with a heart rate of 110-120 beats per minute (BPM). If you are
more fit, you will need a higher threshold of stimulation.
To begin with, you should exercise at a level that elevates your heart rate to about 65 to 70% of your
maximum. If you find this is too easy, you may want to increase it, but it is better to lean on the
conservative side.
As a rule of thumb, the maximum heart rate is 220 minus your age. As you increase in age, your
heart, like other muscles, loses some of its efficiency. Some of its natural loss is won back as fitness
improves. The following table is a guide to those who are “starting fitness.”
Age
Target
Heart
Rate
25
30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65
10
Second
Count
23
22 22 21 20 19 19 18 18
Beats per Minute 138 132 132 126 120 114 114 108 108
PULSE COUNT
The pulse count (on your wrist or carotid artery in the neck, taken with two index fingers) is done
for ten seconds, taken a few seconds after you stop exercising. This is for two reasons: (a) 10 seconds
is long enough for accuracy, (b) the pulse count is to approximate your BPM rate at the time you are
exercising. Since heart rate slows as you recover, a longer count isn’t as accurate.
The target is not a magic number, but a general guide. If you’re above average with your fitness, you
may work comfortably a little above that suggested for your age group. The following table is a guide.
Age
Target
Heart
Rate
25
30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65
10
Second
Count
26 26 25 24 23 22 22 21 20
Beats
per
Minute
156 156 150 144 138 132 132 126 120
Don’t push yourself too hard to reach the figures on this table. It can be very uncomfortable if you
over exercise. Let it happen naturally as you work through your program. Remember, the target is a
guide, not a rule, a little above or below is just fine.
Two final comments: (1) don’t be concerned with day to day variations in your pulse rate, being
under pressure or not enough sleep can affect it; (2) your pulse rate is a guide, don’t become a slave
to it.
MUSCLE SORENESS
For the first week or so, muscle soreness may be the only indication you have that you are on an
exercise program. This, of course, does depend on your overall fitness level. A confirmation that you
are on the correct program is a very slight soreness in most major muscle groups. This is quite normal
and will disappear in a matter of days.
If you experience major discomfort, you may be on a program that is too advanced, or you have
increased your program too rapidly.
If you experience PAIN during or after exercise, your body is telling you something. Stop exercising
and consult your doctor.
WHAT TO WEAR
Wear clothing that will not restrict your movement in any way while exercising. Clothes should be
light enough to allow the body to cool. Excessive clothing that causes you to perspire more than you
normally would gives you no advantage. The extra weight you lose is body fluid and will be replaced
with the next glass of water you drink. Always wear a pair of athletic shoes.
BREATHING DURING EXERCISE
Do not hold your breath while exercising. Breathe normally as much as possible. Remember,
breathing involves the intake and distribution of oxygen, which feeds the working muscles.
REST PERIODS
Once you start your exercise program, you should continue through to the end. Do not break off
halfway through and then restart at the same place later on without going through the warm-up stage
again. The rest period required between exercises may vary from person to person.
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