Life Fitness pioneered the integration of target heart rate (THR) training and fitness equipment with the introduction of interactive Heart Rate Zone Training ™ programs on Lifecycle ™ exercise bikes, Life Fitness treadmills, Life Fitness stairclimbers and Life Fitness Cross-Trainers. Interactive Heart Rate Zone Training provides results which keep users motivated about exercising. The accuracy and reliability of Heart Rate Zone Training programs make them safe and effective for individuals of all fitness levels.

These programs have been developed to help users achieve the two most often cited goals of exercise: 1) fat burning/weight management and 2) increased health benefits. Target heart rate zone training has also been cited as the best method for aerobic conditioning of the heart and as an excellent performance tool for competitive athletes. 3

The introduction of the Lifepulse® heart rate sensors, with a patented digital processing system, represents a major advancement in target heart rate training.

Three independent research projects were conducted to assess the accuracy of the Lifepulse® digital heart rate monitoring system on the Lifecycle exercise bike, the Life Fitness treadmill and the Life Fitness stairclimber. The studies were performed by the Exercise Physiology and Nutrition Laboratory at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

• HR values were compared from the Lifepulse system simultaneously to values obtained from a 12 lead electrocardiogram (EKG). 8

• Heart rate measurements with the Lifepulse system correlated very highly with clinical EKG readings on all CV pieces. 8

• The Lifepulse digital heart rate monitor detects electrical impulses given off by the heart muscle every time the heart beats. Exclusive Life Fitness software filters out electrical "noise" created by other contracting muscles and focuses directly on the signal from the cardiac muscle.

To exercise most effectively the level of intensity should be within the THR range. 3,4 Life Fitness Heart Rate Zone Training is a safe, precise method of monitoring exercise intensity using the age-predicted theoretical maximum heart rate (HRmax). The HRreserve method (KARVONEN) can be used manually.

• Heart Rate Zone Training keeps an individual in a safe range, which is very important for individuals with heart disease and high blood pressure 3,4
• To exercise effectively the level of intensity should be within the THR range, be safe, tolerable and achieve desired calorie output. 4
• Heart rate is an important tool for both the competitive athlete and for those with head conditions because it allows for monitored progress and safety 3,6

The best heart rate training methods require accuracy and interactivity. Heart Rate Zone Training programs, developed by Life Fitness, give you both. The primary benefit of HRZT is that it provides results and motivation that keep exercisers coming back for more.

Key points about Life Fitness HRZT Proqrams:

• Correct intensity prescription via pre-set programs: Fat Burn=65% of HRmax and Cardio=80% of HRmax.
• Precise and constant monitoring of exercise heart rate via Lifepulse system or Polar® telemetry.
• Gradual shifts in resistance automatically keep you on target in response to changes to heart rate.
• Individualized progression is automatic as fitness improves. If there is no increase in intensity, the workouts become maintenance.2,5

Health-Related Benefits

• To acquire many of the fitness benefits of exercise, you need to be able to exercise without strain. To do this it is necessary to exercise in your THR range.5
• Varying combinations of intensity, duration and frequency offer measurable health benefits and may include exercise below 60% HRmax.9
• THR (intensity) is one of five essential components of a systematic, individualized exercise prescription, along with appropriate mode, duration, frequency and progression.4
• Knowing accurate exercise heart rates helps with motivation to exercise and helps to measure success.7

Fat Burn/Weight Management

• All exercise burns fat!
• Total calories used is the most important factor to determine the effectiveness of exercise prescription for fat loss. A direct relationship exists between weight management and duration of exercise. Therefore, even a light intensity (that is safer for most obese people) can translate to considerable calorie usage by increasing duration. 2
• At moderate intensities, duration has more effect as the total amount of fat used increases over time.1,3,4
• Overall body fat will not be reduced until there is a continual negative calorie balance.4
• Intensity and duration are integrally related to determine total calorie use.4
• In prolonged exercise, fat may supply nearly 86 percent of total calories.2

Aerobic Conditioning

• Cardio-Respiratory Endurance (CRE) trains the body's tissues to use O2 efficiently, resulting in improved endurance.4
• CRE conditioning requires being within the THR range.4
• Generally, a person can increase VO2 Max by 5-25 percent depending on initial fitness level.1
• To achieve optimal CRE results, it is necessary to go above the lower end of THR.1,4
• Going above the higher end does not have CRE advantages1 and isn't necessary to improve capacity.2
• Increases in CRE can be realized with low intensity/long duration as well as high intensity/short duration exercise.4

1 Howley, E.I. & B.D. Franks, Health Fitness Instructor's Handbook. 2nd edition, pg. 40, 225-229, Human Kinetics Books, Champaign, Illinois, 1992.

2 McArdle. W.D., F.I. Katch, & B.I. Katch, Exercise Physiology: Energy, Nutrition and Human Performance - 3rd Edition, pg. 27, 434-439, & 686. Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia, 1991.

3 Editors, University of California, Berkeley Wellness Letter, The University of California, Berkeley Wellness Encyclopedia. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, 1991.

4 ACSM Guidelines for Exercise Testing & Prescription. 5th Edition, pg. 155-162 & 210-219 Williams & Wilkins, 1995.

5 Rippe. J.M. with P. Amend, The Exercise Exchange Program. Simon & Schuster, 1992.

6 Brooks. D.. (Moves International), Heart Rate Training: Working at the Right Level of Effort. Presented at IDEA International Association of Fitness Professionals, Feb. 20, 1997.

7 Weller, J. "Training by the Numbers". IDEA Personal Trainer; October 1997.

8 Ahlquist, L., S. Ahmade, M. Davies & J.M. Rippe. Accuracy of the Heart Rate Monitor of the Lifecycle 9500HR (the Lifestep 9500HR and the Lifestride 9500HR). Internal reports EPNL-1992-006, 1993-003 & 1113-002, August 1992 and October 1993.

9 Paffenbarger, et al. Physical Activity and the All-Cause Mortality. New England Journal of Medicine, 315:605-13, 1986.