Reebok Fitness RBTL09500 Exercise Guidelines, Exercise Intensity, HOW to Measure Your Heart Rate

EXERCISE GUIDELINES

WARNING: Before beginning this or any exercise program, consult your physician. This is especially important for in- dividuals over the age of 35 or individuals with pre-existing health problems.

The following guidelines will help you to plan your ex- ercise 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 on the left side of the chart (ages are rounded off to the nearest ten years). Next, find the three numbers to the right of your age. The three numbers are your Òtraining zone.Ó The lower two numbers are recom- mended heart rates for fat burning; the higher number is the recommended heart rate for aerobic exercise.

Fat Burning

Aerobic Exercise

If your goal is to strengthen your cardiovascular sys- tem, your exercise must be Òaerobic.Ó 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 and incline of the treadmill until your heart rate is near the highest 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 heartbeat 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.)

WORKOUT GUIDELINES

Each workout should include the following three parts:

A 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

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 en- ergy. 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 and incline of the tread- mill until your heart rate is near the lowest number in your training zone.

For maximum fat burning, adjust the speed and incline of the treadmill until your heart rate is near the middle number in your training zone.

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.)

A 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 to prevent post-exercise prob- lems.