Benefits of Aerobic Exercise

•Effective weight loss and management

•Added protection from heart disease

•Increased strength and health of bones

•Higher levels of energy for greater productiv- ity during the day

•Healthy stress relief from a pressure-packed day

•Greater intellectual capacity and productivity

6 Get FIT with the IMAGE 14.6Q.

Effective aerobic exercise has three major parts: frequency, intensity, and time. The acronym "FIT" may help you to remember these three parts:

F	“F” stands for the frequency of your workouts.
	Three to five workouts per week are recom-
	Three to five workouts per week are recom-

mended. Exercise at least four times a week for weight loss.

	I	“I” refers to the intensity of your workout.
	I	Check your heart rate at least twice during
		Check your heart rate at least twice during

your aerobic exercise session: once during the session and once again at the end. Maintain a workout intensity level within your Target Heart Rate Zone. You can measure your heart rate using the hand pulse sensor or the chest pulse sensor.

	T	“T” is for the time or duration of your workout.
	T	Beginning exercisers may wish to start with 5
		Beginning exercisers may wish to start with 5

to 10 minutes of aerobic activity. Those in aver- age physical condition should exercise for 20 to 30 minutes. Highly fit people, or people who want to lose weight, should exercise for 30 to 60 min- utes. The key to the time factor is that you main- tain your target heart rate for the duration of the workout period.

Remember to take it slowly. Fitness is a lifelong commitment. If you can't go the full 20 minutes from the start, which is common, try to exercise for five minutes at a time, a couple of times a day.

Recent research indicates that several short workouts in one day can also provide fitness benefits. Gradually, your stamina will increase and it will become easier to exercise for longer periods of time.

7 Cool down after aerobic exercise.

Keep moving! It is important that you cool down properly to allow your heart rate to decrease slowly after it has been elevated. This helps the blood flow from your extremities back to your heart. Keep your legs moving on the treadmill at a slower pace for at least five minutes following the aerobic phase.

Stretch again at the end of your exercise

8 session.

Stretching after exercise reduces muscle sore- ness. See step 5 on page 27.

9 Participate in strength training.

"Balanced fitness, including both strength training and aerobic exercise, can do more to ensure a happy life than just about anything else known to medical science today."

—Kenneth Cooper, M.D., M.P.H., founder of The Cooper Institute For Aerobic Research, Dallas, Texas.

A strength-training program increases your lean muscle mass. Lean muscle mass aids in burning body fat. With additional muscle mass and strength, you will receive the full benefits of an exercise program. You will also be less prone to injuries during the aerobic phase of your workout.