Conditioning guidelines, Warning – ProForm Crosswalk DTL32941 User Manual

Page 18

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CONDITIONING GUIDELINES

The following guidelines will help you to plan your ex-

ercise program. For more detailed exercise informa-

tion, obtain 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; the higher number is the

recommended heart rate for aerobic exercise.

To measure your heart rate during exercise, use the

pulse sensor. If your heart rate is too high or too low,

adjust the speed and incline of the treadmill.

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 and 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 and 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

prolonged 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,

adjust the speed and 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 pulse is in your

training zone for 20 to 60 minutes. (During the first few

weeks of your exercise program, do not keep your

pulse in your training zone for longer than 20 minutes.)

Breathe regularly and deeply as you exercise—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-

exercise problems.

EXERCISE FREQUENCY

To maintain or improve your condition, complete three

workouts each week, with at least one day of rest be-

tween workouts. After a few months, you may com-

plete up to five workouts each week if desired. The key

to success is to make exercise a regular and enjoyable

part of your everyday life.

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.

The pulse sensor is not a medical device.

Various factors, including your movement,

may affect the accuracy of heart rate readings.

The sensor is intended only as an exercise aid

in determining heart rate trends in general.

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