Test Your Level of Fitness

Your resting heart rate is the rate at which your heart beats when at rest. It is of great importance to monitor your heart, particularly if you are older or un-fit. As we age our heart rate becomes lower so all work will be calculated as a percentage of the maximum heart rate.

Your pulse or heart rate is what will form the basis of your level of exercise intensity for your aerobic conditioning.

Maximal heart rate (MHR) is the highest rate a person can attain during heavy exercise. To work at this maximum heart rate is both dangerous and unnecessary, so we work to a specific formulae (known as the Karvonen Formulae) which is 220 - your age.

As we age our maximum heart rate becomes lower, so it is of even greater importance to monitor the heart rate of an older person, as it is for an un-conditioned or un-fit person. All work performed will be at a percentage of your maximum rate as shown below. The rate at which your heart beats when at rest is your resting heart rate.

Example for a 40 year old

220 - 40 ( age ) = 180 ( MHR )

For an un-fit or overweight person I am recommending that we begin working at 70% of your maximum heart rate, i.e : 126 bpm.

I find an easy way of working out your percentage (without a calculator) is to simply divide the 180 (MHR) and the percentage by 10 and multiply e.g :

70% of 180 = 7 times 18 = 126

50% of 180 = 5 times 18 = 90

A wonderful tool to utilize, particularly when you are starting out is a Heart Rate Monitor. These are available at all good sports stores and a decent one will set you back about $A200. If you do not own a heart rate monitor you can take your pulse rate over 15 seconds and multiply by four. At the wrist with index and middle fingers (not your thumb)

Setting and continually attaining your goals is what keeps you on track. Now we are going to do some basic fitness assessment tests of which are great to give you an idea of your ability and limitations at this early stage. going back and comparing notes in your records is a excellent habit.

RESTING HEART RATE

Have a clock with a second hand next to your bed. Immediately on waking up count your pulse rate for 15 seconds multiplying by four for one full minute. This is your resting heart rate. It can be very motivating to see a drop in your heart rate as your fitness improves and it is a good habit to get into. It is nice to know the old heart doesn't have to work so hard as it used to.

THE STEP TEST

Find a step approx 45cm high and fairly solid to comfortably take your weight when standing freely on it. With your watch or clock in view, begin stepping up and down from the step, left foot up, left foot down, right foot up, right foot down for 5 minutes at a reasonable pace. On completion immediately take your heart rate at 1 minute, 2 minutes and 3 minutes (recording times) Doing this test at a later date will show a much lower heart rate proving your increasing fitness and aerobic capacity.

ABDOMINAL STRENGTH AND ENDURANCE

Laying on the floor with knees up and arms straight out in the horizontal position, lift your shoulders off the ground in a crunch position until your wrists cover your knees. Do as many as you can in one minute, or 30 seconds if this is not possible. As you progress through your exercise routines and start to become Slim Supple & Strong you will notice huge improvements in your core-strength.


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Slim Supple & Strong has it all, written by a Personal Trainer, the "Step by Step" guide to the NEW YOU is your answer to weight loss, general health & well-being, a toned body and a refreshing new outlook on life.
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