Our clinic recommends anyone over 40 have a checkup before beginning an exercise program. This lets the physician assess cardiovascular risks, orthopedic risks and other health situations that may affect a person's ability to exercise. Generally, people under 40 can begin without medical clearance, but if you have a chronic medical condition, check with your physician. That stands for frequency, intensity and time. Like it or not, only these three improve aerobic fitness.
Consistency is paramount.
You're better off getting moderate activity on a regular basis than knocking yourself out infrequently or sporadically. Following the FIT principle will improve your cardiovascular fitness and your chances of a long life. In addition to aerobic training, don't forget muscle- strengthening exercises and flexibility exercises. We all tend to lose muscle weight and flexibility as we get older. Unfortunately, we often think of ourselves as still being 20, so we periodically pay the price for doing something we should not.