If there is a secret to long, healthy life and virility...even if you did not choose the right parents, it is regular exercise: aerobic, graded, and integrated into one's life-style. 

But what is that concept?  Well, after getting medical clearance from your physician if you are over 50 or if you have long been a couch potatoe at any age, the important exercise is endurance-building rather than muscle-building: brisk walking, stair-climbing, bicycling, rowing, etc. For example, a 72 year old man, 6 ft. tall, 205 lbs, in fairly good condition and fairly active generally, does a 1 mile brisk walk at 4 miles per hour in fifteen minutes, with a two minute warmup and two mnute cool-down, during which time his pulse (monitored constantly by a Polar Pacer, very important) goes from 65/minute to 100 - 120, depending on the exercise, with a return below 90 within two minutes.  He then does 8 flights of stairs at 3 flights per minute.  He then rows (at maximum machine tension) 500 meters at 35 strokes per minute.  He does that two or three times per week.  It takes about 30-40 minutes...and it feels great.  

"Try it.  You'll like it".

GS

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Exercise... Issue 0506-01

June 2, 2005

Now this is how to get the job done.  A manufacturing company in the mid-West has manufactured a solution to Americans' sedentary work style.  Their office personnel use standing desks.  Their computers are mounted on treadmills and stationary bicycles.  Their conferences are walking conferences on an indoor track designed for the purpose.  I kid you not!   Talk about Health Insurance.  This employer has found the cure to what ails both his employees and his Finance Director.  Let's hope that the idea spreads.  General Motors, which is drowning in health care-related red ink, would be a great place to start.

GS


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