Personal Fitness Training: Think you’re in good shape?
by David on March 5, 2010
So, you think you’re fit? You work out regularly, you’re conscientious about your diet, and you look pretty good in the mirror. That’s great, but those factors may not be telling you the whole story. One important indicator of true fitness is the measure of how efficient your cardiovascular system is. Here’s a quick and simple way to find out.
First, as always, run this by your doctor. Then, you’re going to need three numbers. Figure these numbers out before the workout, so you have them handy for reference. The first number is your maximum heart rate, which is 220 minus your age. If you’re thirty, then your maximum would be 190 (220-30). If you’re fifty-five, your maximum is 165.
Take 80% of that number as a target. The third number you’ll need can be found by subtracting 66 from that target number.
Now you’re ready to begin. During your next concentrated cardio workout, bring your heart rate to 80% (or more) of your maximum heart rate.
After you have reached the target heart rate, stop and time how long it takes for your heart rate to reach the third figure.
If it takes two minutes or less, you’re good to go, and your “real” age is about 8 years younger than your calendar age. If it takes longer, you’ve still got some work to do. A personal trainer can be your best friend when it comes to planning your fitness program. Use his/her knowledge to help you be in your best shape possible.
The use of any advice on this website is at your own risk. Please consult us, or any other professional, licensed personal trainer or your health care professional, like your doctor, first to see if the advice is applicable to your specific situation.
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