ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE BEGINNING AN EXERCISE PROGRAM.
HOW OFTEN? (Frequency of Workouts)
The American Heart Association recommends that you exercise at least 3 to 4 days per week to maintain fitness.
If you have other goals such as weight or fat loss, you will achieve your goal faster with more frequent exercise.
Whether it’s 3 days or 6 days, remember that your ultimate goal should be to make exercise a lifetime habit.
Many people are successful staying with a fitness program if they set aside a specific time of day to exercise.
It doesn’t matter whether it’s in the morning before breakfast, during lunch hour or while watching the evening
news. What’s more important is that it’s a time that allows you to keep a schedule, and a time when you won’t
be interrupted. To be successful with your fitness program, you have to make it a priority in your life. So decide
on a time, pull out your day planner and pencil in your exercise times for the next month!
HOW LONG? (Duration of Workouts)
For aerobic exercise benefits, it’s recommended that you exercise from between 24 and 60 minutes per session.
But start slowly and gradually increase your exercise times. If you’ve been sedentary during the past year, it may
be a good idea to keep your exercise times to as little as 5 minutes initially. Your body will need time to adjust
to the new activity. If your goal is weight loss, a longer exercise session at lower intensities has been found to
be most effective.
HOW HARD? (Intensity of Workouts)
How hard you workout is also determined by your goals. If you use your home gym to prepare for a 5K run, you will
probably work out at a higher intensity than if your goal is general fitness. Regardless of your long term goals,
always begin an exercise program at low intensity. Aerobic exercise does not have to be painful to be beneficial!
There are two ways to measure your exercise intensity. The first is by monitoring your heart rate, and the second
is by evaluating your perceived exertion level (this is simpler than it sounds!).
PERCEIVED ExERTION LEVEL
A simple way to gauge your exercise intensity is to evaluate your perceived exertion level. While exercising, if you
are too winded to maintain a conversation without gasping, you are working out too hard. A good rule of thumb
is to work to the point of exhilaration, not exhaustion. If you cannot catch your breath, it’s time to slow down.
Always be aware of these warning signs of overexertion.
GENERAL STRENGTH TRAINING GUIDELINES
• It is recommended that you perform at least 10-15 minutes of cardiovascular exercise before beginning your
strength routine in order to warm the muscles, increase the heart rate, and prepare your body for strength
training.
• Always raise and lower the weight in a smooth, slow, and controlled motion.
• Try not to hold your breath during strength training exercises. It is recommended that you exhale as you raise
the weight and inhale as you lower the weight.
• It is recommended that each muscle group be allowed to rest 48 hours between strength training.
• Complete each strength routine with a few simple stretches to maintain flexibility, and allow your body to
cool-down after your session.
CONDITIONING GUIDELINES
What is Target Heart Rate Zone?
Target Heart Rate Zone tells you
the number of times per minute
your heart needs to beat to
achieve a desired workout effect.
It is represented as a percentage
of the maximum number of times
your heart can beat per minute.
Target Zone will vary for each
individual, depending on age,
current level of conditioning,
and personal fitness goals. The
American Heart Association
recommends working-out at a
Target Heart Rate Zone of between
60% and 75% of your maximum
heart rate. A beginner will want to
workout in the 60% range while
a more experienced exerciser will
want to workout in the 70-75%
range. See chart for reference.
ExAMPLE:
For a 42-year-old user: Find age along the bottom of the chart (round to 40), follow age column up to
the target zone bar. Results: 60% of maximum Heart Rate = 108 Beats Per Minute, 75% of maximum
Heart Rate = 135 Beats Per Minute.
ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE BEGINNING AN ExERCISE PROGRAM.
TARGET HEART RATE ZONE CHART
