ProForm 940s English Manual - Page 10

CONDITIONING GUIDELINES The following guidelines will help you to plan your exercise program. Remember that proper nutrition and adequate rest are essential for successful results. WARNING: Before beginning this or any exercise program, consult your physician. This is especially important for persons over the age of 35 or persons with pre-existing health problems. Burning Fat 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 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 lowest number in your training zone as you exercise. 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 recommended heart rates for fat burning, maximum fat burning, and cardiovascular (aerobic) exercise. For maximum fat burning, adjust the intensity of your exercise until your heart rate is near the middle number in your training zone as you exercise. Aerobic Exercise If your goal is to strengthen your cardiovascular system, 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 highest number in your training zone. WORKOUT GUIDELINES Each workout should include the following three parts: To find the proper heart rate for you, first find your age on the bottom line of the chart (ages are rounded off to the nearest ten years). Next, find the three numbers above your age. The three numbers are your Òtraining zone.Ó The lowest number is the recommended heart rate for fat burning; the middle number is the recommended heart rate for maximum fat burning; the highest number is the recommended heart rate for aerobic exercise. To measure your heart rate, first exercise for at least four minutes. Then, stop pedalling and measure your heart rate using the pulse sensor. If you have any questions, see HOW TO USE THE PULSE SENSOR on page 9 of this manual. A warm-up, consisting of 5 to 10 minutes of stretching and light exercise. (See page 11.) A proper warmup increases your body temperature, heart rate, and circulation in preparation for exercise. Training zone exercise, consisting of 20 to 30 minutes of exercising with your heart rate in your training zone. (During the first few weeks of your exercise program, do not keep your heart rate in your training zone for longer than 20 minutes.) A cool-down, with 5 to 10 minutes of stretching. This will increase the flexibility of your muscles and will help to prevent post-exercise problems. 10