GOAL SETTING WITH EXERCISE - WHY & HOW

Terms such as exercise and physical activity are used interchangeably. As outlined in a previous presentation, physical inactivity, because it is so bad for your health, is considered by many to be a separate disease!!

Setting some basic goals helps us establish why we want to exercise and also how we want to exercise may keep us focused.

1. COMMON TRAINING GOALS

• Aerobic Fitness
  • Heart and lung training
    • Moderate intensity (see over)
  • Health benefits - stamina
  • Weight loss / fat loss
     
• Strength Gain
  • General strength
    • Day-to day function (e.g. climbing stairs)
  • Toning
  • Bulking – hypertrophy
     
• Sports Performance
  • Sports specific goals
  • Speed and power
  • Tailor training and have a "cross-over effect"
    • e.g. aerobic fitness helps with tennis
       
• Appearance – look good and feel good!!
  • Body weight
  • Muscle tone
  • Posture
  • "Event-specific" (e.g. wedding, summer)
  • "Body Sculpting"

2. TECHNIQUES FOR EXERCISING - AEROBIC AND RESISTANCE TRAINING

To enjoy a health benefit - 30 minutes or more of moderate intensity exercise most days of the week (for those with stable medical conditions).

Exercise intensity refers to how hard your body is working during physical activity.

Aerobic Training

How hard should you exercise – the"intensity"...

% HR Max refers to the percentage of one's maximal heart rate.

Some common target heart rate ranges for each age group (moderate)...

3. PITFALLS & CAUTIONARY TIPS

• Be instructed on correct technique
   
• Build up your training and fitness base
   
• "Core stability" exercises are foundational
   
• Remember DOMS = "delayed onset muscle soreness"
  • Don’t worry unless >5 days!!
     
• Develop muscle-memory
  • Muscular adaptation (up to 6-12 weeks)

Warning Signs

If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop exercising and seek medical help...

• extreme breathlessness or breathing problems such as wheezing or coughing which persist;
• chest pain or pressure;
• extreme perspiration;
• dizziness, fainting;
• severe muscle or joint pain or cramps;
• nausea;
• or, extreme and long-lasting fatigue after exercising.