EXERCISE GUIDELINES

Warm-Up
A warm-up activity should be a progressive aerobic activity that utilizes the muscles you will be using during the workout. There is no set warm-up intensity. A typical warm-up will produce a small amount of perspiration, but not leave you feeling fatigued. Intensity and fitness level will affect the duration of your warm-up, but 5-10 minutes is usually recommended.

Exercise Duration
A common question asked is, 'how much exercise do I need?' We recommend following the guidelines set up by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) for healthy aerobic activity.

• Exercise three to five days per week.
• Warm up for five to 10 minutes before aerobic activity.
• Maintain your exercise activity for 30 to 45 minutes.
• Gradually decrease the intensity of your workout, then stretch to cool down during the last five to 10 minutes.

If weight loss is a major goal, participate in your aerobic activity at least 30 minutes for five days each week.

Exercise Intensity
The next question asked is, 'how hard do I need to work out?' To reap the most cardiovascular benefits from your workout, it is necessary to exercise within a recommended intensity range. We recommend using one of two methods to measure exercise intensity. These two methods are performed by monitoring your exercise heart rate or by using the Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE).

Target Heart Rate
Target Heart Rate is a percentage of your maximum heart rate. Target Heart Rate will vary for each individual depending on age, current level of conditioning, and personal fitness goals. Exercise heart rate should range from 55% to 85% of your maximum heart rate. As a point of reference, we use the predicted maximum heart rate formula of (220 minus age) to determine your heart rate training zone. Please use the following chart to determine your predicted Target Heart Rate.

Example:
If you are a 30-year-old, your predicted maximum heart rate is 190 based on the (220 minus age) formula.

220 - 30 = 190

Based on the chart above, your heart rate training zone is 104 to 161, which is
55%-85% of 190.

Rate of Perceived Exertion
Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) is one of the easiest ways to monitor exercise intensity. By becoming familiar with the RPE scale, you can continually assess your level of intensity and insure a level of exertion that is comfortable. An increase in exercise intensity is directly related to elevation in exercise heart rate. Consequently, RPE can be used alone or together with heart rate when monitoring exercise intensity.

RPE SCALE
0 Nothing at all
.5 Very, very weak
1 Very weak
2 Weak
3 Moderate
4 Somewhat strong
5 Strong
6
7 Very strong
8
9
10 Very, very, strong
Maximal

The recommended RPE range during exercise for most people is between 3 (moderate) and 5 (strong). The RPE should be independent of your pace.

Balanced Fitness
While cardiovascular exercise has been the primary method of fitness for many programs over the years, it should not be the only method. Strength Training and Flexibility Training have become more popular as exercise has developed. Incorporating Strength and Flexibility Training into your current exercise program will give you the balance you need to improve your athletic performance, reduce susceptibility to injury, increase metabolic rate, increase bone density, and reach your goals faster.

Strength Training
Strength Training was once known as an activity performed by young males only. That has changed with the advances in scientific research on Strength Training over the last 20 years or so. Research has proven that, after age 30, we begin to lose muscle mass if we do not incorporate Strength Training into our exercise program. With this decrease in muscle mass, our ability to burn calories decreases, our physical ability to do work decreases and our susceptibility to injuries increases. The good news is that, with a proper Strength Training program, we can maintain or even build muscle as we age. A proper Strength Training program will work the muscle groups of the upper and lower body. There are now many options available for Strength Training including: yoga, Pilates, selectorized machines, free weights, stability balls or medicine balls, exercise tubing and body weight exercises, just to name a few.

Recommendations for a minimum Strength Training program include:
Frequency: Two to three days per week
Volume: One to three sets consisting of eight to 12 repetitions.

If you experience chest pains, dizziness or shortness of breath, stop exercising immediately and consult your physician before continuing any exercise.