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 toburn fat or to strengthen your
cardiovascular system, the key to achieving the
desired results is to exercise with theproper intensity.
The proper intensity level can be found by using your
heart rate asa guide. The chart below shows recom-
mended heart rates for fat burning and aerobic exercise.
HEART RATE TRAINING ZONES
Age 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
To find the proper heart rate for you, first find your age
near the bottom ofthe chart (ages are rounded off to
the nearest ten years). Next, find the three numbers
above your age. Thethree numbers define your "train-
ing zone." The lower two numbers are recommended
heart rates for fat burning; the higher number is the
recommended heart rate for aerobic exercise.
To measure your heart rate during exercise, use the
pulse sensor. If your heart rate is too high ortoo low,
adjust the speed and incline of the treadmill.
Fat Burning
To burn fat effectively, you must exercise at arelatively
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
isto 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.
Aerobic Exercise
Ifyour goal is to strengthen your cardiovascular sys-
tem, your exercise must be =aerobic." Aerobic exercise
is activity that requires large amounts of oxygen for
prolonged periods of time. Thisincreases the demand
on the heart to pump blood to the muscles, and on the
lungs tooxygenate 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.
WORKOUT GUIDELINES
Each workout should include thefollowing three parts:
A Warm-up--Start each workout with 5 to 10 minutes
of stretching and light exercise. A proper warm-up in-
creases your body temperature, heart rate and circula-
tion in preparation for exercise.
Training Zone Exercise--After warming up, increase
the intensity of your exercise untilyour pulse is inyour
training zone for 20 to 60 minutes.(During the first few
weeks of your exerciseprogram, donot keep your
pulsein your trainingzone for longer than 20 minutes.)
Breathe regularly and deeply as you exercise--never
hold your breath.
ACool-down--Finish each workout with 5 to 10 min-
utes of stretching to cool down. This will increase the
flexibility of your muscles and will help prevent post-ex-
ercise problems.
EXERCISE FREQUENCY
To maintain or improve your condition, complete three
workouts each week, with at least one day of rest be-
tween workouts. After a few months, you may com-
plete up tofive workouts each week if desired. The key
to success is to make exercise a regular and enjoyable
part of your everyday life.
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