I could sure use some advice...

[Debi2007]

I started working out again on Jan 1st. In the past (months ago) when I worked out, I was walking the treadmill at a comforable pace and my heart rate would get up in the 139 range. A trainer I had years ago told me that I should always keep walking (even slow if needed) until my heart rate got back down to 117 or so before I stopped.

Okay... so this time my gym experience is a bit different and my heart rate is up to like... 150.. and around that area and that is when I am just going 2.5 mph. It seems like I am not walking much faster than my previous gym experience. And... it takes so long to get back down to 117 (or even close to that) so I just leave the gym when I am done.

Is there a target area that you need to stay in for workouts? Is there a heartrate that you need to be at when you stop working out? I understand a cool down process... but does it really have to be a long one?

Any advice would be appreciated!

[jessicazi]

Re: I could sure use some advice...

Well, I always do a cool down, but I don't necessarily wait until I get a certain heart rate. I have been working with a personal trainer this week and my cool downs have never been tied to a heart rate, but you definitely want to loosen up those muscles.