Intensity

The next thing to understand about exercise has to do with intensity.  Regarding exercise, intensity refers to how your heart responds to the exercise.  Does the heart rate go up quickly, and does it go up pretty high?  Or does it go up a little and then stay there for a long time?  Low intensity exercise is an exercise that gets your heart rate up to about 60-70% of its maximum, and then maintains it for a relatively long period of time.  A great example of this would be a brisk walk.  High intensity, on the other hand, is something that gets a burst in your heart rate to 70-95% of maximum, for a relatively short period of time.  A great example of this would be a running sprint.  We’ll talk more about these over the next couple days, but first let’s talk about your maximum heart rate.

Remember: before starting an exercise program, talk with your doctor first.