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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 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 recommended
heart rates for fat burning and aerobic exercise.
To find the proper heart rate for you, first find your age
at 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 lower two numbers are recommended heart rates
for fat burning, and the higher number is the recom-
mended 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 energy. 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 of the treadmill 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 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 exercising and
place two fingers on
your wrist as shown.
Take a six-second heart-
beat 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 of the treadmill
accordingly.
WORKOUT GUIDELINES
Each workout should include the following three parts:
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.
Training Zone Exercise
After warming up, increase the intensity of your exer-
cise until your heart rate is in your training zone for 20
to 60 minutes. (During the first few weeks of your exer-
cise program, do not keep your heart rate in your train-
ing zone for longer than 20 minutes.) Breathe regularly
and deeply as you exercise—never hold your breath.
Cool-down
Finish each workout with 5 to 10 minutes of stretching
to cool down. This will increase the flexibility of your
muscles and will help prevent post-exercise problems.
EXERCISE 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, you may com-
plete 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
physician. This is especially important for
individuals over the age of 35 or individuals
with pre-existing health problems.