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Absolute beginner's cardio?

dixiecups Posts: 3 Joined: 2009/10/14	2009/10/14, 05:46 PM Hey everyone! Bit of help needed here, I'm a complete beginner exercise-wise (although I do a hectic job on a bar). I've got my specific programs worked out to start on Monday but could anyone direct me to a starting point for a cardio workout to run alongside please as I want to make the most of the time I'm able to be in the gym. Thanks in advance! Anna
Carivan Posts: 8,542 Joined: 2002/01/20	2009/10/14, 09:13 PM The point of doing cardio is to improve your breathing and heart rate. Here is a formula to help you out. Subtract your age from 220. The number you get is your maximum HR. While doing your cardio, try and keep your HR between 65-85% of this. You can achieve this by using various machines available at the gym. You might want to start with 5-7min depending on your level, and work uo to 30 min. Remember 2 min warm up and 2 min cool down. Hope this helps and welcome to Freetrainers. -------------- Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success. Ivan (GO HABS GO!) Montreal Canada (City of Festivals)
dixiecups Posts: 3 Joined: 2009/10/14	2009/10/15, 09:59 AM ============ Quoting from carivan: The point of doing cardio is to improve your breathing and heart rate. Here is a formula to help you out. Subtract your age from 220. The number you get is your maximum HR. While doing your cardio, try and keep your HR between 65-85% of this. You can achieve this by using various machines available at the gym. You might want to start with 5-7min depending on your level, and work uo to 30 min. Remember 2 min warm up and 2 min cool down. Hope this helps and welcome to Freetrainers. ============= Righty then, 220-26= 194 BPM= maximum HR (I get that bit!) 65-85% = 126-165 BPM (ooh maths) As for various machines, we've got bikes, treadmills, rowing machines, steppers and cross trainers. 30 minutes wouldn't be a problem hopefully but would you recommend using different machines or sticking to one specific? Thanks for the help, I'm determined to get into this fitness thing if it kills me (hopefully not). Anna
returnofplex Posts: 801 Joined: 2007/10/26	2009/10/15, 01:25 PM I think it's important to mix the cardio up. That'll keep you from getting burned out on a specific machine. 30 minutes is great.
Carivan Posts: 8,542 Joined: 2002/01/20	2009/10/15, 05:10 PM Ditto -------------- Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success. Ivan (GO HABS GO!) Montreal Canada (City of Festivals)
dixiecups Posts: 3 Joined: 2009/10/14	2009/10/20, 06:09 AM cheers! Will get onto it this afternoon :)
Carivan Posts: 8,542 Joined: 2002/01/20	2009/10/20, 05:42 PM Let us know how you do! -------------- Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success. Ivan (GO HABS GO!) Montreal Canada (City of Festivals)