Schwinn Airdyne Owner's Manual download pdf (Page 21)

FITNESS GUIDE

Over the last 25 years, ever since the introduction of Dr. Kenneth Cooper’s book, Aero-

bics, many individuals have focused on walking, running, cycling, swiming, and other

types of aerobic activity as their only means of exercise.

Unfortunately, this has led to many of these same people neglecting other key compo-

nents of fitness; such as strength training, flexibility and body composition. Many of us

lack the strength to carry a full back of groceries, or the flexibility to pick up our shoes

without bending at the knees. In addition, as we have aged, we have replaced muscle

tissue with fat tissue.

Continued work by Dr. Cooper at the Institute of Aerobics Research, is showing that in

addition to the need to stress our cardiovascular system, that more attention needs to be

placed on building stronger muscles and increasing joint flexibility. They are talking about

the benefits of balanced fitness: regular physical activity that includes strength training

and flexibility (stretching) in addition to aerobic conditioning.

For many years, “fitness” has been solely a measure of cardiovascular (aerobic) endur-

ance. And, while aerobic fitness is the cornerstone for health and quality of life, there are

two other components that are nearly as important. When developing your home fitness

program it is only appropriate that you develop all three components in order to achieve

balanced fitness, and thus optimal health and quality of life. The three components are:

— Muscle strength

— Cardiovascular fitness

— Flexibility

 Balance Fitness

Many people considering beginning a balanced home fitness program still think “no

pain, no gain.” They usually think they have to cycle or lift weights until they are over-tired

and their body aches. This idea of fitness is outdated. What they don’t realize is that, in

a short time using proper guidelines, the initial tiredness or soreness will be replaced by

increased energy for work and recreation and an increased sense of well–being.

Since 1978, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has had an influence on

the medical and scientific communities with its position statement on “The Recommended

Quantity and Quality of Exercise for Developing and Maintaining Fitness in Healthy

Adults.” For the first time since 1978 the ACSM has revised its recommendations on

exercise for healthy adults. The new paper published in 1991 expands and revises advice

on cardiovascular fitness and body composition, and now recommends that you add

resistance training. This is new information to those of us who have only cycled,

ran, swam, watched our body weight and controlled our diet to attempt to maintain fit-

ness.

Balanced fitness can do more to ensure a long, healthy life than just about anything else

known to the medical community today. It’s never too late to start a fitness program but

ideally, you should build strong muscles, flexibility and a strong cardiovascular system

early in life and enter the later years with your physical potential at its maximum.

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Schwinn Airdyne Owner's Manual Page 21