True Fitness CS8 manual Beginning Your F.I.T. Program

Beginning

Your

Exercise

Program

Beginning Your F.I.T. Program

CHAPTER THIRTEEN: DESIGNING AN EXERCISE PROGRAM

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 current level of fitness. Reducing the intensity of your workout is recommended.

The age-adjusted target heart rates indicated in Appendix A reflect averages. A variety of factors (including medication, emotional state, temperature, and other conditions) can affect the exercise heart rate appropriate for you.

Warning: Consult your doctor to establish the exercise intensity (target heart rate zone) appropriate for your age and condition before beginning any exercise program.

Warm-Up: Slow and Deliberate Exercise

You are not warmed up until you begin to perspire lightly and breathe more deeply. Warming up prepares your heart and other muscles for more intense exercise and helps you avoid premature exhaustion. Start slowly, exploring different workloads until you can comfortably sustain your exercise level. A good suggestion is a minimum of three minutes. Perspiration on your brow is a good indicator of a thorough warm-up. The older you are, the longer your warm-up period should be.

CS 8.0 Owner’s Guide 75