Conditioning Guidelines, Why Exercise? | ProForm 831.290824 guide

CONDITIONING GUIDELINES

The following guidelines will help you to plan your exercise program. Remember that proper nutrition and adequate rest are essential for successful results.

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

WHY EXERCISE?

Exercise has proven essential for good health and general well-being. Regular participation in a well- rounded exercise program helps to develop a stronger and more efficient heart, improved respiratory function, increased stamina and endurance, better weight man- agement and body fat control, increased ability to deal with stress, and greater self-esteem and confidence.

EXERCISE INTENSITY

To maximize the benefits of exercising, it is important to exercise with the proper intensity. The proper inten- sity level can be found by using your heart rate as a guide. For effective aerobic exercise, your heart rate should be maintained at a level between 70% and 85% of your maximum heart rate as you exercise. This is known as your training zone. You can find your training zone in the table below. Training zones are listed according to age and physical condition.

	TRAINING ZONE (BEATS/MIN.)
AGE
AGE	UNCONDITIONED	CONDITIONED

20	138Ð167	133Ð162

25	136Ð166	132Ð160

30	135Ð164	130Ð158

35	134Ð162	129Ð156

40	132Ð161	127Ð155

45	131Ð159	125Ð153

50	129Ð156	124Ð150

55	127Ð155	122Ð149

60	126Ð153	121Ð147

65	125Ð151	119Ð145

70	123Ð150	118Ð144

75	122Ð147	117Ð142

80	120Ð146	115Ð140

85	118Ð144	114Ð139

During the first few months of your exercise program, keep your heart rate near the low end of your training zone as you exercise. After a few months of regular exercise, your heart rate can be increased gradually until it is near the middle of your training zone as you exercise.

To measure your heart rate, stop exercising and place two fingers on your wrist. 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.) If your

heart rate is too high, decrease

the intensity of your exercise. If your heart rate is too low, increase the intensity of your exercise.

WORKOUT GUIDELINES

A well-rounded workout includes the following three phases:

A warm-up phase, lasting 5 to 10 minutes. Begin with slow, controlled stretches, and progress to more rhyth- mic stretches. This will increase the body temperature, heart rate, and circulation in preparation for strenuous exercise.

A cardiovascular phase, including 20 to 30 minutes of exercising with your heart rate in your training zone.

A cool-down phase, consisting of 5 to 10 minutes of stretching. Thorough stretching offsets muscle con- tractions and other problems caused when you stop exercising suddenly. Stretching for increased flexibility is often most effective during this phase. This phase should leave you relaxed and comfortably tired.

To maintain or improve your condition, complete three workouts each week, with at least one day of rest between workouts. After a few months of regular exer- cise, you may complete up to five workouts each week, if desired. Find the best time of day for your workouts, and then stick with it.

Remember, the key to success is to make exercise a regular and enjoyable part of your everyday life.