True Fitness CS1.0 manual IT. Concept Overview

F.IT. CONCEPT OVERVIEW

CHAPTER SEVEN: DESIGNING AN EXERCISE PROGRAM

As your fitness level improves, you will need to increase your workout intensity in order to reach your target heart rate. The first increase may be necessary after two to four weeks of regular exercise. Never exceed your target heart rate zone. Increase the speed and/or incline on the treadmill to raise your heart rate

to the level recommended by your doctor. The incline feature can be used to greatly increase the workload without increasing speed.

METs

One MET is the amount of energy your body uses when you're resting. If a physical activity has an equivalent of six METs, its energy demands are six times that of your resting state. The MET is a useful measurement because it accounts for differences in body weight. See Appendix B and C for more details.

Time: How Long You Exercise

Sustained exercise conditions your heart, lungs, and muscles. The longer you are able to sustain exercise within your target heart range, the greater the aerobic benefits.

To begin, maintain two to three minutes of steady, rhythmic exercise and then check your heart rate.

The initial goal for aerobic training is 12 continuous minutes.

Increase your workout time approximately one or two minutes per week until you are able to maintain 20-30 continuous minutes at your training heart rate.