The F.I.T. Formula

100%

85%

75%

60%

Heart Rate BPM

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

AGE

INCREASED PERFORMANCE RANGE

AEROBIC

TRAINING

RANGE

WEIGHT LOSS TRAINING RANGE

minute minus your age. To find your pulse, locate a vein on your neck or inside your wrist, then count beats for ten seconds, then multiply by six. (See chart above.)

It’s also important to know your target training zone or target heart rate. The American Heart Association (AHA) defines target heart rate as 60-75 percent of your maximum heart rate. This is high enough to condition, but well within safe limits. The AHA recommends that you aim for the lower part of the target zone (60 percent) during the first few months of your exercise program. As you gradually progress you can increase your target to 75 percent. According to the AHA, “Exercise above 75 percent of the maximum heart rate may be too strenuous unless you are in excellent physical condition. Exercise below 60 percent gives your heart and lungs little conditioning.”

In addition to monitoring your heart rate as you exercise, be certain of how quickly your heart rate recovers. If your heart rate is over 120 beats per minute five minutes after exercising, or is higher than normal the morning after exercising, your exertion may be too strenuous for your

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True Fitness 400 manual Age