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The following guidelines will help you to plan your ex-
ercise program. Remember—these are general guide-
lines only. For more detailed exercise information, ob-
tain a reputable book or consult your physician.
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 and aerobic exercise.
To find the proper heart rate for you, first find your age
near 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 define your “train-
ing zone.” The lower two numbers are recommended
heart rates for fat burning and the higher number is the
recommended heart rate for aerobic exercise.
To measure your
heart rate, stop
exercising and
place two fingers on
your wrist as shown.
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 or
too low, adjust the speed or incline of the treadmill ac-
cordingly.
Fat Burning
To burn fat effectively, you must exercise at a relatively
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
is to burn fat, adjust the speed or 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 or incline
of the treadmill until your heart rate is near the middle
number in your training zone.
Aerobic Exercise
If your goal is to strengthen your cardiovascular sys-
tem, your exercise must be “aerobic.” Aerobic exercise
is activity that requires large amounts of oxygen for pro-
longed 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, ad-
just the speed or incline of the treadmill until your heart
rate is near the highest number in your training zone.
WORKOUT GUIDELINES
Each workout should include the following 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 until your heart rate is in
your training zone for 20 to 60 minutes. (During the
first few weeks of your exercise program, do not keep
your heart rate in your training zone for longer than 20
minutes.) Breathe regularly and deeply as you exer-
cise—never hold your breath.
A Cool-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
between workouts. After a few months, you may
complete up to five workouts each week if desired.
WARNING: Before beginning this
or any exercise program, consult your physi-
cian. This is especially important for individu-
als over the age of 35 or individuals with pre-
existing health problems.
EXERCISE GUIDELINES
