How to Exercise on the Weight Bench

The treadmill offers a variety of exercises designed to trim, tone, and strengthen the body. Please read these guidelines before using the weight bench.

WARNING: Before beginning any exercise pro- gram, consult your physician. This is especially important for persons over the age of 35 or per- sons with pre-existing health problems.

STRENGTH TRAINING GUIDELINES

Your strength training program should include 3 work- outs each week. To give your body time to rest, work- outs should be on alternating days, such as Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Instead of waiting for a convenient time to exercise, plan a specific time. The morning hours work well for many, and the self-discipline required to rise early and exercise may result in greater productivity throughout the day. For others, exercising before dinner offers a chance to wind down from the day’s activities. What- ever time you choose, be consistent and stick with it.

Each workout should include the following three important parts: (1) a warm-up, (2) 6 to 10 exercises, and (3) a cool-down.

Begin each workout with 5 to 8 minutes of stretching to warm up (see Suggested Stretches on page 18). This will prepare the body for exercise by increasing circula- tion, delivering more oxygen to the muscles, and rais- ing the body temperature.

Next, perform 6 to 10 of the exercises shown on the in- cluded exercise poster. To give balance and variety to your workouts, vary the exercises from workout to workout. Note: Exercises 7, 13, and 14 on the exer- cise poster cannot be performed while sitting on the weight bench. To perform these exercises, stand or kneel in front of the lat tower.

Begin with 1 set of 12 repetitions for each exercise. (A “repetition” is one complete cycle of an exercise, such as one sit-up. A “set” is a series of repetitions per- formed without pausing.) As your fitness level in- creases, perform 2 or 3 sets for each exercise. Always rest for at least 1 minute after each set. When you can complete 3 sets of 12 repetitions without difficulty, you may choose to use heavier weights (weights are not included).

Finish each workout with 5 to 8 minutes of stretching to cool down. This will increase your flexibility, and will help to reduce soreness.

It is very important to avoid overdoing it during the first few months of your exercise program, and to progress at your own pace. CAUTION: If you feel pain or dizziness at any time, stop immediately and begin cooling down.

EXERCISE FORM

For the best results, correct form is important. Maintaining proper form means moving through the full range of motion for each exercise, and moving only the appropriate parts of the body. The photographs on the included poster show the correct positions for each ex- ercise. Make sure to perform each exercise with a smooth, steady motion. Exhale as you exert yourself, and inhale as you return to the starting position; never hold your breath.

STAYING MOTIVATED

To stay motivated, try listening to music or watching television while you exercise. If desired, use a calen- dar to keep a record of your workouts, and write key body measurements at the end of every month.

Remember, the key to lasting results is to make exer- cise a regular and enjoyable part of your daily life.