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 physi- cian. This is especially important for persons over the age of 35 or persons with
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 recom- mended heart rates for fat burning, maximum fat burning, and cardiovascular (aerobic) exercise.
To find the proper heart rate for you, first find your age at the bottom of the chart (ages are rounded off to the nearest ten years). Next, find the three numbers above your age. The three numbers are your Òtraining zone.Ó The smallest number is the recommended heart rate for fat burning; the middle number is the heart rate for maximum fat burning; the largest number is the heart rate for aerobic exercise.
Burning Fat
To burn fat effectively, you must exercise at a low intensity level for a sustained period of time. During the first few minutes of exercise, your body uses easi- ly accessible carbohydrate calories for energy. Only after the first few minutes of exercise does your body begin to use stored fat calories for energy. If your goal is to burn fat, adjust the intensity of your exercise until your heart rate is near the smallest number in your training zone as you exercise. For maximum fat burn- ing, adjust the intensity of your exercise until your heart rate is near the middle number.
Aerobic Exercise
To strengthen your cardiovascular system, your exer- cise 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 intensity of your exercise until your heart rate is near the largest number in your training zone.
HOW TO MEASURE YOUR HEART RATE
To measure your
heart rate, first exer- cise for at least four minutes. Then, stop exercising and place two fingers on your
wrist as shown. Take a
and multiply the result by 10 to find your heart rate. For example, if your
WORKOUT GUIDELINES
Each workout should include the following three parts:
A
Training zone exercise, consisting of 20 to 30 minutes of exercising with your heart rate in your training zone. (During the first few weeks of your exercise program, do not keep your heart rate in your training zone for longer than 20 minutes.)
A
EXERCISE FREQUENCY
To maintain or improve your condition, plan three work- outs each week, with at least one day of rest between workouts. After a few months of regular exercise, you may plan up to five workouts each week, if desired.
Remember, the key to success is make exercise a regular and enjoyable part of your everyday life.
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