Conditioning Guidelines - ProForm 520 Owner's Manual

CONDITIONING GUIDELINES
The following guidelines will help you to plan your exercise program. Remember that proper nutrition and ade-
quate rest are essential for successful results.
kWARNING:
Before beginning this or any exercise program, consult your physician. This is
especially important for individuals over the age of 35 or individuals with pre-existing health problems.
EXERCISE INTENSITY
To maximize the benefits of exercising, it is important to exercise with the proper intensity. The proper intensity
level can be foundby using your heart rate as a guide. For effective aerobic 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
training zone. You can find your training zone in the table below.
UNCONDITIONED CONDITIONED
TRAINING ZONE TRAINING ZONE
AGE (BEATS/MIN) (BEATS/MIN)
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
45 131-159 125-153
50 129"156 124-150
UNCONDITIONED GONDITIONED
TRAINING ZONE TRAINING ZONE
AGE (BEATS/MIN) (BEATS/MIN)
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 your training zone
as you exercise. After a few months of regular exercise, your heart rate can be increased gradually until it is near
the middle of your training zone as you exercise. You can measure your heart rate using the pulse mode of the
console. Exercise for at least four minutes, and then measure your heart rate immediately. 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.
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WAR NING:
The pulse earclip Is not a medical device. Various factors, including your move-
ment during exercise, may affect the accuracy of heart rate readings. The earclip is intended only as an
exercise aid in determining heart rate trends in general.
WORKOUT GUIDELINES
Each workout should consist of three basic parts: a warm-up, 20 to 30 minutes of training zone exercise, and a
cool-down. Warming up prepares the body for exercise by increasing circulation, delivering more oxygen to the
muscles and raising the body temperature. Begin each workout with 5 to 10 minutes of stretching and light exer-
cise to warm up. Then, increase the intensity of your exercise to raise your heart rate to your training zone for 20
to 30 minutes. Breathe regularly and deeply as you exercise--never hold your breath. Finish each workout with 5
to 10 minutes of stretching to cool down. This will increase the flexibility of your muscles as well as help to
decrease soreness and other post-exercise problems.
To maintain or improve your condition, complete three workouts each week, with at least one day of rest between
workouts. After a few months of regular exercise, you may complete up to five workouts each week, if desired.
The key to success is CONSISTENCY.
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