Conditioning Guidelines:
How you begin your exercise program depends on your physical condition. If you have been inactive for several years or are
out of shape, start slowly and increase your workout gradually. Increase your workout intensity gradually by monitoring your
heart rate while you exercise.
Remember to follow these essentials:
H• ave your doctor review your training and diet programs.
B• egin your training program slowly with realistic goals that have been set by you and your physician.
W• arm up before you exercise and cool down after you work out.
T• ake your pulse periodically during your workout and strive to stay within a range of 60% (lower intensity) or 90% (higher
intensity) of your maximum heart rate zone. Start at the lower intensity and build up to higher intensity as you become
more aerobically t.
I• f you feel dizzy or light-headed you should slow down or stop exercising.
Initially you may only be able to exercise within your target zone for a few minutes; however, your aerobic capacity will
improve over the next six to eight weeks. It is important to pace yourself while you exercise so you don’t tire too quickly.
To determine if you are working out at the correct intensity, use a heart rate monitor or use the table below. For eective
aerobic exercise, your heart rate should be maintained at a level between 60% and 90% of your maximum heart rate. If just
starting an exercising program, work out at the low end of your target heart rate zone. As your aerobic capacity improves,
gradually increase the intensity of your workout by increasing your heart rate.
Measure your heart rate periodically during your workout by stopping the exercise but continuingly to move your legs or walk
around. Place two or three ngers on your wrist and take a six second heartbeat count. Multiply the results by ten to nd your
heart rate. For example, if your six second heartbeat count is 14, your heart rate is 140 beats per minute. A six second count is
used because your heart rate will drop rapidly when you stop exercising. Adjust the intensity of your exercise until your heart
rate is at the proper level.
Target Heart Rate Zone Estimated by Age*
AGE TARGET HEART RATE ZONE
(55% - 90% OF MAXIMUM HEART RATE)
AVERAGE MAXIMUM
HEART RATE 100%
20 YEARS 110-180 BEATS PER MINUTE 200 BEATS PER MINUTE
25 YEARS 107-175 BEATS PER MINUTE 195 BEATS PER MINUTE
30 YEARS 105-171 BEATS PER MINUTE 190 BEATS PER MINUTE
35 YEARS 102-166 BEATS PER MINUTE 185 BEATS PER MINUTE
40 YEARS 99-162 BEATS PER MINUTE 180 BEATS PER MINUTE
45 YEARS 97-157 BEATS PER MINUTE 175 BEATS PER MINUTE
50 YEARS 94-153 BEATS PER MINUTE 170 BEATS PER MINUTE
55 YEARS 91-148 BEATS PER MINUTE 165 BEATS PER MINUTE
60 YEARS 88-144 BEATS PER MINUTE 160 BEATS PER MINUTE
65 YEARS 85-139 BEATS PER MINUTE 155 BEATS PER MINUTE
70 YEARS 83-135 BEATS PER MINUTE 150 BEATS PER MINUTE
*For cardiorespiratory training benets, the American College of Sports Medicine recommends working out within a heart
rate range of 55% to 90% of maximum heart rate. To predict the maximum heart rate, the following formula was used: 220
- Age = predicted maximum heart rate.
OPERATIONAL INSTRUCTIONS