True Fitness CS8 - Manual (Page 64)

CS 8.0 Owner’s Guide
The F.I.T. Concept Defined
CHAPTER THIRTEEN: DESIGNING AN EXERCISE PROGRAM
72
What is
the F.I.T.
Concept?
The workout portion of your exercise program consists of three
major variables: Frequency, Intensity, and Time.
Frequency: How Often You Exercise
You should exercise three to five times a week to improve your
cardiovascular and muscle fitness. Improvements are significantly
smaller with less frequent exercise.
Intensity: How Hard You Exercise
Intensity of exercise is reflected in your heart rate. Exercise
must be sufficiently rigorous to strengthen your heart muscle
and condition your cardiovascular system. Only your doctor can
prescribe the target training heart range appropriate for your
particular needs and physical condition.
Start with exercise that stimulates you to breathe more deeply.
Alternate days of moderate and easy exercise to help your body
adapt to new levels of exertion without unnecessary strain.
If you are just beginning an exercise program, you may be most
comfortable using your bike at low workloads. As you use your
bike regularly, higher workloads may be more comfortable and
more effective.
If you feel out of breath before you have exercised 12 minutes,
you are probably exercising too hard.