Vision Fitness X6000, X6100 User Manual 2

Congratulations on choosing a VISION FITNESS Elliptical Trainer. You’ve

taken an important step in developing and sustaining an exercise program!
Your Elliptical Trainer is a tremendously effective tool for achieving your per­sonal fitness goals. Regular use of your Elliptical Trainer can improve the quality
of your life in so many ways…

Here are just a few of the health benefits of aerobic exercise:

• Weight Loss

• A Healthier Heart

• Improved Muscle Tone

• Increased Daily Energy Levels

• Reduced Stress

• Help In Countering Anxiety and Depression

• An Improved Self Image

The key to reaping these benefits is to develop the exercise habit. Your new
Elliptical trainer will help you eliminate the obstacles that prevent you from
getting in your exercise time. Snow and rain and darkness won’t interfere with
your workout when you have your Elliptical Trainer in the comfort of your home.
This Owner’s Guide provides you with basic information on starting an exer­cise program. A more complete knowledge of your new Elliptical Trainer will
assist you in realizing your goal of a healthy lifestyle.

Some kinds of service to your Elliptical Trainer should only be performed by
your VISION FITNESS retailer. Please contact your authorized VISION FIT­NESS retailer should service be required. If a question or problem arises which
cannot be handled by your VISION FITNESS retailer, please contact us:

VISION FITNESS
P.O. Box 280
621-D East Lake St.
Lake Mills, WI 53551
Ph: 1.800.335.4348
Fax: [phone]
www.visionfitness.com

Table of Contents

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ALL MODELS X6000 X6100 GENERAL

ALL MODELS

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS . . . . . . . . . . 4

ASSEMBLY, PLACEMENT, MOVING . . .6

FOLDING YOUR ELLIPTICAL TRAINER . 8

CONTACT HEART RATE. . . . . . . . . . . 11

TELEMETRIC HEART RATE. . . . . . . . . 12

CHILD SAFETY GUARDS . . . . . . . . . . 13

X6000

CONSOLE

SETTING MPH/KPH . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

QUICK-START . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

USING THE CONSOLE . . . . . . . . . . . 16

X6100

CONSOLE

DISPLAY CONSOLE OVERVIEW . . . . 18

GENERAL

TROUBLESHOOTING:

ELLIPTICAL TRAINERS . . . . . . . . . . . 25

COMMON QUESTIONS . . . . . . . . . . 26

HOME WARRANTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

DEVELOPING FITNESS PROGRAM . . 30

FLEXIBILITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

EXERCISE GUIDELINES . . . . . . . . . . 33

TARGET HEART RATE . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

RATE OF PERCEIVED EXERTION . . . . 35

WEEKLY WORKOUT LOGS . . . . . . . . 38

MONTHLY WORKOUT LOGS . . . . . . . 40

DISPLAY CONSOLE DESCRIPTIONS . . 19

THE PROGRAMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

USING THE PROGRAMS . . . . . . . . . . 23

1

X6000X6100

DUAL-ACTION

CONSOLE

HANDLEBARS

TENSION KNOB
(X6000 ONLY)

FOOT PAD

CHILD SAFETY

GUARDS

PEDAL ARM
GUIDE RAIL

SIDE STABILIZER

FRONT FOOT &

TRANSPORT WHEELS

X 6 0 0 0 X 6 1 0 0

2

FOLDING ELLIPTICAL TRAINERS

3

ALL MODELS

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

When using an electrical product, basic precautions should always be
followed, including the following:
Read all instructions before using this exercise product.

WARNING! To reduce the risk of burns, fire, electrical shock or

injury to persons:

• Use this exercise product for its intended use as described in this
Owner’s Guide. Do not use attachments not recommended by the
manufacturer.

• Never drop or insert any object into any opening.

• Do not remove the Elliptical Trainer sidecovers. Service should be
performed only by an authorized VISION FITNESS retailer.

X6100 ONLY

• Never operate this Elliptical Trainer if it has a damaged cord or
plug, if it is not working properly, if it has been damaged, or im
mersed in water. Return the Elliptical Trainer to a retailer for exami
nation and repair.

• Keep the cord away from heated surfaces.

• Do not use outdoors.

• To disconnect, turn the switch to the OFF position, then remove plug
from outlet.

• Only use the power cord provided with your VISION FITNESS Ellip
tical Trainer.

• Never place the power cord under carpeting or place any object on
top of the power cord, which may pinch and damage it.

• Unplug your Elliptical Trainer before moving it.

CHILDREN

• Keep children off your Elliptical Trainer at all times.

4

• When the Elliptical Trainer is in use, young children and pets
should be kept at least 10 feet away.

OTHER SAFETY TIPS FOR YOUR VISION FITNESS ELLIPTICAL TRAINER

CAUTION! If you experience chest pains, nausea, dizziness or shortness

of breath, stop exercising immediately and consult your physician
before continuing.

• Do not wear loose clothing that might catch on any part of the
Elliptical Trainer.

• Read this Owner’s Guide before operating this Elliptical Trainer.

CLEANING

• Clean with soap and slightly damp cloth only; never use solvents.

ALL MODELS

5

ALL MODELS

ASSEMBLY

If you have elected to assemble this product yourself, for your safety
please read and follow each of the steps in the enclosed assembly
instructions. It is recommended, when possible, that assembly be per­formed by an authorized VISION FITNESS retailer. If you have any ques­tions regarding any part or function of your Elliptical Trainer, contact
your retailer.

MOVING

Your VISION FITNESS Elliptical Trainer has a pair of transport wheels
built into the front of the frame. To move, firmly grasp the console mast
handlebars and tilt and roll the Elliptical Trainer on the front wheels.

CAUTION: Our Elliptical Trainers are well-built and heavy, weighing up

to 270 lbs.! Use care and additional help if necessary.

6

PLACEMENT IN YOUR HOME

It is important that you place your Elliptical Trainer in a comfortable and
inviting room. Your Elliptical Trainer is designed to use minimal floor
space. Many people will place their Elliptical Trainer facing the TV or a
picture window. If at all possible, avoid putting your Elliptical Trainer in
an unfinished basement. To make exercise a desirable daily activity for
you, the Elliptical Trainer should be in an attractive setting.

LEVELING YOUR ELLIPTICAL TRAINER

If your Elliptical Trainer wobbles when you
have placed it where you intend to use
it, raise or lower the adjustable levelers
located in several places on the under­side of your Elliptical Trainer:

1) the rear ends of the pedal arm guide

rails,

2) the side stabilizers, and

3) the front foot near the front transport

wheels.

ALL MODELS

Once you have leveled the Elliptical Trainer, lock the levelers in place by
tightening the winged lock nuts against the underside of your Elliptical
Trainer.

POWER SUPPLY (MODEL X6100)

Your Elliptical Trainer uses a wall-mount external power supply. Use only
the power supplied with your Elliptical Trainer. If you misplace this power
supply, please contact your authorized VISION FITNESS retailer for an
original replacement. Use of the wrong power supply may cause dam­age to your Elliptical Trainer.

7

ALL MODELS

FOLDING YOUR ELLIPTICAL TRAINER
NOTE: It is important to always follow the correct order of steps when

folding your Elliptical Trainer.

STEP 1: Locate the arrow on the side cover that points to the 4 o’

clock position of the disk. Rotate the disk so that the arrow is pointing
to the disk axle (the point where the disk and pedal arm connect.)

8

STEP 2: Simultaneously lift both the Pedal Arm and the Guide Rail upon

which it is resting to the vertical position (A). The locking device, which
is mounted on the Guide Rail, should now be aligned with the lock­receiving bracket on the backside of the Pedal Arm. Firmly push the
Guide Rail until it clicks and locks into position (B). Check that it is
secure before proceeding.

Repeat these steps with the other Pedal Arm and Guide Rail to com­pletely fold your Elliptical Trainer for compact storage.

ALL MODELS

9

ALL MODELS

STEP 3: To unfold your Elliptical Trainer, push the recessed lock button

found on the underside of one Guide Rail (C). Carefully lower both the
Pedal Arm and Guide Rail to the floor simultaneously.

Repeat these steps with the other Pedal Arm and Guide Rail to com­pletely unfold your Elliptical Trainer for use.

10

CONTACT HEART RATE

HAND PULSE HEART RATE SENSORS

The Contact Hand Pulse Sensors are included on each product to moni­tor your heart rate. To use, grasp the sensors with a comfortable grip
during your workout. The console will display your heart rate. Although
your signal will be displayed immediately, it may take the system a few
seconds to zero in on your actual heart rate.

ALL MODELS

11

ALL MODELS

TELEMETRIC HEART RATE CHEST STRAP

The wireless Telemetric Chest Strap uses a pair of electrodes on the
underside of the strap to send your heart rate signal to the console. Prior
to wearing the chest strap, moisten the two rubber electrode pads with
several drops of water. These electrodes must remain wet to provide an
accurate signal. We advise using the chest strap against your skin, but
it also functions through a thin layer of wet clothing.

STRAP PLACEMENT

Center the transmitter strap just below the breast or pectoral muscles,
directly over your sternum with the TRANSMITTER logo facing out. Ad­just the elastic strap so it is snug but comfortable enough for proper
breathing.

12

OPTIONAL CHILD SAFETY GUARDS

Always attach the child safety guards to the pedal arm guide rails if there
are young children living in or ever visiting your house. Note that when
these child safety guards are attached, the pedal arms cannot fold.

ALL MODELS

13

X6000 SETTING MPH & KPH

The console will be set for your specific product and also for MPH. There
are 2 small switches inside the console next to the wire harness plugs.
One is for changing from MPH to KM. The other is for setting the con­sole to a bike or an elliptical (EP).

To change a setting, follow the direction below:

X6000

First, remove the console from the console mast by unscrewing the 4
console screws. Unplug the cable(s), making sure they do not fall back
down the console mast. To change from MPH to KM, simply slide the
first switch down, as shown on the diagram on the inside of the console.
The switch to the right controls the bike or elliptical (EP) mode. The bike
is the down position, while the elliptical mode is the up position.

14

X6000 QUICK START

Begin striding and press START to begin the program.

X6000

15

X6000

USING THE CONSOLE

COUNT-UP MODE

To use the console in Count-Up
Mode, simply begin pedaling and
press START. The console will be­gin counting up from 0:00.

COUNT-DOWN MODE

SET TIME

The console will show 0:00 when
you start to pedal. To set a de­sired exercise time, press the
UP until you reach the desired
time. Press START to begin, or
press SELECT to set weight.

16

PAUSE/STOP

To Pause or Stop the console, sim­ply press the START button. To re­turn to your workout, press START
once.

RESET

To reset the Time function, press
the RESET button.

X6000

17

X6100

100 SERIES CONSOLE

DISPLAY CONSOLE OVERVIEW

The computerized display allows the user to select a workout that meets
their desired fitness goals. It also allows the user to monitor the progress
and feedback of each workout, so they can track improvements in over­all fitness over time.

A

C

B

18

D

E

F

G

J

H

I

DISPLAY CONSOLE DESCRIPTIONS

A. POWER SWITCH

Turn off power to your console if your Elliptical Trainer will not be used
for an extended period of time.

B. MILES/KILOMETER SWITCH

Changes your exercise feedback to the English or Metric system.

C. BIKE OR ELLIPTICAL SWITCH

This console can be used on both products, so make sure the switch is
set to ELLIPTICAL mode.

D. PROFILE DISPLAY

This window provides an 8x12 block profile of the workout segments you
are about to complete or have completed and the level of resistance for
each segment. Each column represents 1/12 of your total workout time.
Each row represents two resistance levels.

E. MESSAGE WINDOW

This window provides step-by-step instructions in the setup mode, feed­back or motivational messages during your workout and at the end of
your workout.

F. FEEDBACK DISPLAY

During your workout, this window displays exercise feedback about your
workout, including:

TIME: the time elapsed or the time remaining in your workout.
SPEED: the striding speed in miles or kilometers per hour.
DISTANCE: the total distance traveled in miles or kilometers since

the start of your workout.

RPM: the stride rate or Revolutions Per Minute (RPM).
WATTS: measurement of workload; one watt is equal to six kilo

gram-meters per minute.

CALORIES: an estimate of calories burned since the start of the workout
LEVEL: the current resistance level of your workout.
HEART RATE: displays your heart rate in beats per minute when

using the hand pulse grips.

X6100

19

X6100

DISPLAY CONSOLE DESCRIPTIONS (continued)

G. START/PAUSE/HOLD TO RESET BUTTON

Press the START button to begin exercising at the set default time.
Press START when instructed to by the scrolling LCD message
center to begin a program. When exercising, press the PAUSE
button to pause your workout.

H. UP BUTTON

Use this button in setup mode to change display values. During
your workout, use this button to increase resistance.

I. DOWN BUTTON

Use this button in set-up mode to change display values. During
your workout, use this button to decrease resistance.

J. ENTER BUTTON

Use this button in setup mode to select your personal settings prior
to your workout. During your workout, use this button to toggle
between Watts feedback and Level feedback.

20

THE PROGRAMS

WORKOUT OVERVIEWS

EASY START

The quickest way to begin exercising. Simply press START and you will
skip the setup of specific workouts and begin exercising at a MANUAL
constant level workout. The resistance levels do not change automatically,
but you can adjust the resistance with the arrows as you choose.

NOTE: Because you did not go through setup mode, the computer will

use default values to calculate your feedback information.

MANUAL is a workout in which the resistance

level does not change unless you change it.

INTERVAL is an efficient workout that strength-

ens your cardiovascular system by alternat­ing work intervals with recovery intervals. Be
sure to challenge yourself with intense work
intervals.

X6100

21

X6100

PROGRAM WORKOUT OVERVIEWS (continued)

WEIGHT LOSS is a program intended to tar-

get your stored body fat. This program is
generally used at a slightly lower intensity,
but runs for longer durations than other pro­grams (30 to 60 minutes is recommended).

MOUNTAIN features gradual increases in re-

sistance to simulate riding through a moun­tain range. This is a great program for build­ing strength and endurance.

CONSTANT WATTS is a program that lets the

user exercise at a set work level. As you in­crease your pedal rate (RPM), your resistance
will decrease; if you decrease your pedal rate
(RPM), your resistance will increase.

22

USING THE PROGRAMS

CHOOSING EASY START

Easy Start is the fastest way to begin exercising, as it allows you to bypass
the setup steps required for the preset programs. Simply press START and
you will begin a MANUAL, constant resistance level workout. The resis­tance levels will not change automatically, but you can adjust the resis­tance by using the arrow buttons.

CHOOSING A PROGRAM

Press the UP or DOWN buttons to scroll through the program
selections (Interval, Weight Loss, Mountain, Constant Watts or Manual).
When you arrive at your chosen workout, press the ENTER button.

CHOOSING DURATION

The LCD message board will scroll instructions for setting TIME. The
default time will be flashing in the TIME window. Set the TIME using the
UP and DOWN buttons. When you arrive at your chosen workout
duration, press the ENTER button.

X6100

CHOOSING WEIGHT

Your current body weight is required to give more accurate calorie feed­back as you exercise. The LCD message board will scroll instructions for
setting WEIGHT. The default weight will be flashing in the calories
window. Set WEIGHT using the UP and DOWN buttons. When
you arrive at your current body weight, press the ENTER button.

23

USING THE PROGRAMS (continued)

CHOOSING RESISTANCE LEVEL

The LCD message board will scroll instructions for setting LEVEL. The
default level will be flashing in the LEVEL window. Set the LEVEL using
the UP and DOWN buttons. When you arrive at your chosen
intensity level, press the ENTER button.

NOTE: When using the CONSTANT WATTS program, you will set your

program workload in place of the level. The workload is measured in
WATTS and is adjustable in increments of five, with a range of 40 to

300.

X6100

24

STARTING

Press START to begin your workout.

TROUBLESHOOTING YOUR ELLIPTICAL TRAINER

Our Elliptical Trainers are designed to be reliable and easy to use. If,
however, you have a problem, these troubleshooting steps may indicate
the cause.

PROBLEM: The Elliptical Trainer appears to work but there is no resis­tance change.
SOLUTION: The magnetic brake assembly is not working properly;
please contact your retailer.

PROBLEM: The Elliptical Trainer makes a squeaking or creaking noise.
SOLUTION: Check and tighten all the bolts on the Elliptical Trainer.
SOLUTION: Clean the track and the roller wheels with a cloth and a

mild cleaning detergent. It may also be helpful to spread a thin layer of
silicone over the track

NOTE: If the above steps do not remedy the problem, discontinue use,

turn the power off and contact your retailer.

X6100

25

COMMON ELLIPTICAL TRAINER QUESTIONS

Q: Are the sounds my Elliptical Trainer make normal?
A: Our Elliptical Trainers are some of the quietest available because they
use belt drives and magnetic resistance. We use the highest grade Euro­pean bearings and top quality belts to minimize noise. However, be­cause the resistance system itself is so quiet, you will occasionally hear
some slight mechanical noises from the drive train. Unlike older, louder
technologies, there are no fans, friction belts, or alternator noises to
mask these sounds on our Elliptical Trainers. These mechanical noises,
which may or may not be intermittent, are normal and are caused by the
transfer of significant amounts of energy to a rapidly spinning flywheel.
All bearings, belts and other rotating parts will generate some noise
which will transmit through the casing and frame. It is also normal for
these sounds to change slightly during a workout, and over time, be­cause of thermal expansion of the parts. Keep in mind that while you
work-out you’re sometimes exerting the equivalent mechanical energy of
a washing machine or dryer!

GENERAL

26

Q: Why is the Elliptical Trainer I had delivered louder than the one at the
store?
A: All fitness products seem quieter in a large store showroom because
there is generally more background noise than in your home. Also,
there will be less reverberation on a carpeted concrete floor than on a
wood overlay floor. Sometimes a heavy rubber mat will help reduce
reverberation through the floor. And finally, if a fitness product is placed
close to a wall, there will more reflected noise.

Q: When should I be worried about a noise?
A: As long as the sounds your Elliptical Trainer makes are no louder
than a normal conversational tone of voice, it is considered normal
noise. If your Elliptical Trainer is louder than this, you may want to call
your service technician. Sometimes an initial diagnosis can be made
over the phone.

Q: What kind of routine maintenance is required?
A: We use sealed bearings throughout our Elliptical Trainers so lubrica­tion is not needed. The most important maintenance step is to simply
wipe your perspiration off the Elliptical Trainer after each use.

Q: Will the magnets wear out over time?
A: No, we use permanent magnets that will retain their braking force
indefinitely in this application. One of the big advantages of a magnetic
brake is its long life since there is no physical contact between the fly­wheel and the magnet surface.

Q: How long will the drive belt last?
A: The computer modeling we had done indicated virtually thousands
of maintenance-free hours. Belts are now used in far more demanding
applications such as motorcycle drives.

GENERAL

27

GENERAL

LIMITED HOME USE WARRANTY

VISION FITNESS extends the following exclusive, limited warranty, which shall
apply only to the use of the device in the home, for residential, non-commercial
purposes only. Any other use of the device shall void this warranty.

VISION FITNESS hereby extends the following limited warranties for the fol­lowing components of the device, for the time period indicated:

FRAME - LIFETIME VISION FITNESS warrants the Frame against defects in
workmanship and materials for the life of the product, so long as it remains in
the possession of the original owner.

ECB-PLUS™ BRAKE - LIFETIME VISION FITNESS warrants the ECB-PLUS™
Magnetic Brake against defects in workmanship and materials for the life of the
product, so long as it remains in the possession of the original owner. Only the
Brake and Magnet assembly, and no other ancillary components or parts, are
covered by this lifetime warranty

ELECTRONICS & PARTS - TWO YEARS VISION FITNESS warrants the
Electronic components and all original Parts (other than the ECB-PLUS™ Mag­netic Brake) against defects in workmanship and materials for a period of two
years from the date of original purchase, so long as the device remains in the
possession of the original owner.

28

LABOR - ONE YEAR VISION FITNESS shall cover the Labor cost for the
repair of the device for a period of one year from the date of original purchase,

so long as the device remains in the possession of the original owner.

LIMITED HOME USE WARRANTY (continued)

EXCLUSIVE REMEDY

The exclusive remedy for any of the above warranties shall be repair or replace­ment of defective Parts, or the supply of Labor to cure any defect, provided that
Labor shall be limited to one year. All Labor shall be supplied by the local
Retailer who sold the Product, and the Product must be located within that
Retailer’s service area. Products located outside the Retailer’s service area will
not be covered by the Labor warranty.

EXCLUSIONS AND LIMITATIONS

This warranty applies only to the original owner and is not transferable. This
warranty is expressly limited to the repair or replacement of a defective Frame,
ECB-PLUS™ Magnetic Brake, Electronic component, or defective Part and is the
sole remedy of the warranty. The warranty does not cover normal wear and
tear, improper assembly or maintenance, or installation of parts or accessories
not originally intended or compatible with the Fitness Product as sold. The
warranty does not apply to damage or failure due to accident, abuse, corrosion,
discoloration of paint or plastic, or neglect. VISION FITNESS shall not be
responsible for incidental or consequential damages. Parts and Electronic com­ponents reconditioned to As New Condition by VISION FITNESS or its vendors
may sometimes be supplied as warranty replacement parts and constitute fulfill­ment of warranty terms. Any warranty replacement parts shall be warranted for
the remainder of the original warranty term.

GENERAL

VISION FITNESS expressly disclaims all other warranties, express or implied,
including but not limited to all warranties of fitness for a particular purpose or of
merchantability. This warranty gives you specific legal rights and your rights may
vary from state to state.

WARRANTY REGISTRATION

Your warranty card must be completed and sent to VISION FITNESS before a
warranty claim can be processed. You may also register via our website at
www.visionfitness.com. Inside the enclosed warranty card you will find a
customer survey. Your care in completing the survey will be of value to us in
serving you in the future. Comments and suggestions are always welcome. We
are certain you will enjoy your new Elliptical Trainer. Thank you for selecting a
VISION FITNESS product.

29

GENERAL

DEVELOPING A FITNESS PROGRAM

WARM UP

When you exercise you need more oxygen to fuel your muscles. This
oxygen is carried to the muscles through blood. The increasing de­mands of exercise will cause increased breathing rate, heart rate, blood
flow and blood temperature. As your blood temperature rises and more
oxygen is released, the temperature of your muscles will increase. This
allows the muscles to burn calories and create energy for exercise. A
warm-up activity should be a progressive aerobic activity that utilizes the
muscles you will be using during your workout. There is no set intensity
to warm-up with. 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 to 10 minutes is
usually recommended.

A gradual warm-up will do the following:

• Produce faster more forceful muscle contractions

• Increase your metabolic rate so oxygen is delivered to the work
ing muscles more quickly

• Leads to efficient calorie burning by increasing your core body
temperature

• Prevent injuries by improving the elasticity of your muscles

• Allow you to work out comfortably longer because your energy
systems are able to exercise, preventing the buildup of lactic acid
in the blood.

• Improves joint range of motion

• Psychologically prepares you for higher intensities by increasing
your arousal and focus on exercise

30

FLEXIBILITY

Before stretching, take a few minutes to warm-up as stretching a cold
muscle can cause injury. When stretching you should start slowly, ex­haling as you gently stretch the muscle. Try to hold each stretch for at
least 15 to 30 seconds. Don’t bounce when you stretch. Holding a
stretch is more effective and less of a risk for injury. Don’t strain or push
a muscle too far. If a stretch hurts, ease up.

SEATED TOE TOUCH

Sit on the floor with your legs together
and straight out in front of you. Do
not lock your knees. Extend your fin­gers toward your toes exhaling as you
go. Hold the stretch for 15 to 30
seconds. Return to the start position
and repeat the stretch as necessary.

GENERAL

STANDING QUADRICEPS STRETCH

Using a wall or your Bike to provide
balance, grasp your left ankle with your left
hand and hold to stretch. Your knee should
be pointing to the floor. Hold the stretch
for 15 to 30 seconds. Repeat with your right
leg and continue to alternate for amount
of desired repetitions.

31

GENERAL

STANDING CALF STRETCH

Standing about 3 feet from a wall, take one
step forward with your left foot. Place your
hands on the wall in front of you. Your elbows
slightly bent, shoulders, hips, and feet are
pointed directly towards the wall. Bend your
left leg slowly using the movement to control
the amount of stretch in the right calf. Your
heels should stay on the ground. Slowly bring
yourself back to the starting position and switch
legs. Alternate for the amount of desired
repetitions.

32

EXERCISE GUIDELINES

The American College of Sports Medicine (A.C.S.M.) recommends the
following exercise guidelines, for healthy aerobic activity:

Frequency: Exercise 3 to 5 days each week.

Warm-up: Warm-up 5 to 10 minutes before aerobic activity.

Duration: Maintain your exercise intensity for 20 to 60 minutes.

Cool Down: Gradually decrease the intensity of your workout, then

stretch to cool down during the last 5 to 10 minutes.

NOTE: If weight loss is major goal, participate in your aerobic activity

at least 30 minutes for five or more days each week.

GENERAL

33

EXERCISE INTENSITY

To reap the most cardiovascular benefits from your workout, it is neces­sary to exercise within a recommended intensity. The three ways to moni­tor exercise intensity are Target Heart Rate, Perceived Exertion, and the
Talk Test.

TARGET HEART RATE

Target Heart Rate is a percentage of your maximum heart rate. Target
Rate will very for each individual, depending on age, current level of
conditioning, and personal fitness goals. Exercise heart rate should range
from 50 - 90% of the predicted maximum heart rate for most healthy
adults. A guideline for Target Heart Rate follows:

50 - 60% Beginning Exercisers or Health Concerns
60 - 75% General Fitness or Weight Loss
75 - 90% Improve Aerobic Capacity or Athletic Performance

GENERAL

34

Use the chart below to determine your Target Heart Rate.

RATE OF PERCEIVED EXERTION

Rate of Perceived Exertion (R.P.E.) 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

GENERAL

The recommended RPE range for most people is between 3 (moderate)
and 5 (strong). The RPE should be independent of your pace; it is de­pendent on the feelings caused by the exertion.

TALK TEST

The “Talk Test” is a quick and simple check of exercise intensity. If you
have trouble completing a sentence, you are working to hard. You should
be able to speak freely without gasping for air.

35

GENERAL

ACHIEVING YOUR FITNESS GOALS

An important step in developing a long term fitness program is to deter­mine your goals. Is your primary goal for exercising on your VISION
FITNESS Product to lose weight? Improve muscle tone? Relieve stress?
Prepare for the spring racing schedule? Knowing what your goals are
will help you develop a more successful exercise program. Below are
some common exercise goals:

•Weight Loss & Maintenance

•Improve Body Shape & Tone

•Increase Energy Level

•Improve Cycling/Cross Sports Performance

•Improve Cardiovascular Endurance

•Stress Reduction

•Improve Sleep Patterns

•Improve muscular strength

If possible try to define your personal goals in precise, measurable terms,
and then put your goals in writing. The more specific you can be, the
easier it will be to track your progress. If your goals are long term, divide
them up into monthly and weekly segments. Longer term goals can lose
some of the immediate motivation benefits. Short term goals are easier
to achieve. Your VISION FITNESS Product console provides you with
several readouts that can be used to record your progress. You can
track Distance, Calories or Time.

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KEEPING AN EXERCISE DAIRY

Photocopy the weekly and annual log sheets on the following pages to
make your personal exercise log book. As time goes by you’ll be able to
look back with pride at the work you’ve done. As your fitness improves,
you can look back and see how far you’ve come.

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38

GENERAL

GENERAL

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40

GENERAL

GENERAL

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