Conditioning Guidelines - Horizon Fitness E701 User Manual

H E A RT RAT E
PULSE GRIPS
Place the palm of your hands directly on the grip pulse handlebars. Both hands must grip the bars for your
heart rate to register. It takes 5 consecutive heart beats (15-20 seconds) for your heart rate to register.
When gripping the pulse handlebars, do not grip tightly. Holding the grips tightly may elevate your blood
pressure. Keep a loose, cupping hold. You may experience an erratic readout if consistently holding the
grip pulse handlebars. Make sure to clean the pulse sensors to ensure proper contact can be maintained.
IMPORTANT: The heart rate function on this product is not a medical device. While heart rate grips can
provide a relative estimation of your actual heart rate, they should not be relied on when accurate
readings are necessary. Some people, including those in a cardiac rehab program, may benefit from using
an alternate heart rate monitoring system like a chest or wrist strap. Various factors, including movement
of the user, may affect the accuracy of your heart rate reading. The heart rate reading is intended only as
an exercise aid in determining heart rate trends in general. Please consult your physician.
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CO N DI TI O NI N G GU IDELI N ES
ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE BEGINNING AN ExERCISE PROGRAM.
HOW OFTEN? (Frequency of Workouts)
The American Heart Association recommends that you exercise at least 3 to 4 days per week to maintain
cardiovascular fitness. If you have other goals such as weight or fat loss, you will achieve your goal faster
with more frequent exercise. Whether it's 3 days or 6 days, remember that your ultimate goal should be to
make exercise a lifetime habit. Many people are successful staying with a fitness program if they set aside
a specific time of day to exercise. It doesn't matter whether it's in the morning before breakfast, during
lunch hour or while watching the evening news. What's more important is that it's a time that allows you
to keep a schedule, and a time when you won't be interrupted. To be successful with your fitness program,
you have to make it a priority in your life. So decide on a time, pull out your day planner and pencil in your
exercise times for the next month!
HOW LONG? (Duration of Workouts)
For aerobic exercise benefits, it's recommended that you exercise from between 24 and 60 minutes per
session. But start slowly and gradually increase your exercise times. If you've been sedentary during the
past year, it may be a good idea to keep your exercise times to as little as five minutes initially. Your body
will need time to adjust to the new activity. If your goal is weight loss, a longer exercise session at lower
intensities has been found to be most effective. A workout time of 48 minutes or more is recommended
for best weight loss results.
HOW HARD? (Intensity of Workouts)
How hard you workout is also determined by your goals. If you use your machine to prepare for a 5K
workout, you will probably work out at a higher intensity than if your goal is general fitness. Regardless
of your long term goals, always begin an exercise program at low intensity. Aerobic exercise does not
have to be painful to be beneficial! There are two ways to measure your exercise intensity. The first is by
monitoring your heart rate and the second is by evaluating your perceived exertion level (this is simpler
than it sounds!).
PERCEIVED ExERTION LEVEL
A simple way to gauge your exercise intensity is to evaluate your perceived exertion level. While exercising,
if you are too winded to maintain a conversation without gasping, you are working out too hard. A good
rule of thumb is to work to the point of exhilaration, not exhaustion. If you cannot catch your breath, it's
time to slow down. Always be aware of these warning signs of overexertion.
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