CONDITIONING GUIDELINES
The following guidelines will help you to plan your
exercise program. Remember that proper nutrition and
adequate rest are essential for successful results.
WARNING: Before beginning this or any exercise
program, consult your physician. This Is especially
Important for individuals over the age of 35 or indi-
viduals with pre-existing health problems.
WHY EXERCISE?
Exercise has proven essential for good health and
general well-being. Regular participation in awell-
rounded exercise program helps to develop a stronger
and more efficient heart, improved respiratoryfunc-
tion, increased stamina and endurance, better weight
management and body fat control, increased ability to
deal with stress, and greater self-esteem and confi-
dence.
EXERCISE INTENSITY
To maximize the benefits of exercising, it is important
to exercise with the proper intensity.The proper inten-
sity level can be found by using your heart rate as a
guide, For effective aerobic exercise, yourheart rate
should be maintained at a level between 70% and
85% of your maximum heart rate as you exercise.
This is known as your training zone.You can find your
training zone in the table below.Training zones are list-
ed according to age and physical condition.
TRAINING ZONE(BEATS/MIN,)
AGE UNCONDITIONED CONDITIONED
20 138-167 133-162
25 136-166 132-160
30 135-164 130-158
35 134-162 129-156
40 132-161 127-155
45 131-159 125-163
50 129-156 124-150
55 127-155 122-149
60 126-153 121-147
65 125-151 119-145
70 123-150 118-144
75 122-147 117-142
80 120-146 115-140
85 118-144 114-139
During the first few months of your exercise program,
keep your heart rate near the low end of yourtraining
zone as you exercise, After afew months of regular
exercise, your heart rate can be increased gradually
until it is near the middle ofyour training zone as you
exercise.
To measure your heart rate, stop exercising and place
two fingers on your wdst.Take a six-second heartbeat
count, and multiply
the resultby 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, decrease
the intensity of
your exercise. If your heart rate is too low, increase the
intensity of your exercise.
WORKOUT GUIDELINES
Awell-rounded workout includes the following three
phases:
A warm-up phase, lasting 5 to 10 minutes. Begin with
slow, controlled stretches, and progress to more rhyth-
mic stretcl_es.(See SUGGESTED STRETCHES on
page 9.) This will increase the body temperature, heart
rate, and circulation in preparation for strenuousexer-
cise.
A cardiovascular phase, including 20 to 30 minutes
of exercising with your heart rate in your trainingzone.
A cool-down phase, consisting of 5 to 10 minutesof
stretching.Thorough stretching offsets musclecontrac-
tions and other problems caused when you stop exer-
cising suddenly. Stretching for increased flexJ'bilityis
often most effective during this phase, This pha.se
should leave you relaxed and comfortably tired.
To maintain or improve your condition, completethree
workouts each week, with at least one day of rest
between workouts.After a few months of regularexer-
cise, you ma_'complete up to five workouts each
week, if desired. Find the best time of day for your
workouts, and then stick with it.
Remember, the key to success is to make exercise a
regular and enjoyable part of your everyday life.