Conditioning Guidelines - ProForm PFEL04900 User Manual

CONDITIONING GUIDELINES

The following guidelines will help you to plan your
exercise program.
WARNING:
or any exercise program, consult your physi-
cian. This is especially important for persons
over the age of 35 or persons with pre-exist-
ing health problems.
The pulse sensor is not a medical device.
Various factors, including the userÕs move-
ment, may affect the accuracy of heart rate
readings. The pulse sensor is intended only
as an exercise aid in determining heart rate
trends in general.
EXERCISE INTENSITY
Whether your goal is to burn fat or 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. For effective exercise, your heart
rate should be maintained at a level between 70% and
85% of your maximum heart rate as you exercise. This
is known as your Òtraining zone.Ó You can find your
training zone in the table below. Training zones are
listed according to age and physical condition.
UNCONDITIONED
TRAINING ZONE
AGE
(BEATS/MIN)
20 138-167
25 136-166
30 135-164
35 134-162
40 132-161
45 131-159
50 129-156
55 127-155
60 126-153
65 125-151
70 123-150
75 122-147
80 120-146
Before beginning this
CONDITIONED
TRAINING ZONE
(BEATS/MIN)
133-162
132-160
130-158
129-156
127-155
125-153
124-150
122-149
121-147
119-145
118-144
117-142
115-140
Burning Fat
To burn fat, you must exercise at a low intensity level
for a sustained period of time. During the first few
minutes of exercise, your body uses easily accessible
carbohydrate calories for energy. Only after the first few
minutes of exercise does your body begin to use stored
fat calories for energy. If your goal is to burn fat, adjust
the intensity of your exercise until your heart rate is
near the low end of your training zone as you exercise.
Aerobic Exercise
If your goal is to strengthen your cardiovascular sys-
tem, your exercise must be Òaerobic.Ó 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 intensity of your exercise until your heart
rate is near the middle of your training zone.
WORKOUT GUIDELINES
Each workout should include three important parts:
(1) a warm-up, (2) training zone exercise, and (3) a
cool-down.
Warming upÑWarming up prepares the body for
exercise by increasing circulation, delivering more
oxygen to the muscles, and raising the body tempera-
ture. Begin each workout with 5 to 10 minutes of
stretching and light exercise to warm up.
Training Zone ExerciseÑAfter warming up, increase
the intensity of your exercise until your heart rate is in
your training zone for 20 to 30 minutes.
Cooling DownÑFinish each workout with 5 to 10
minutes of stretching. Stretching after exercise devel-
ops flexibility and helps prevent post-exercise problems.
EXERCISE FREQUENCY
To maintain or improve your condition, plan three
workouts each week, with at least one day of rest
between workouts. After a few months of regular exer-
cise, you may complete 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.
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