Improve Cardiovascular Fitness by Walking

[Catch84]

I joined a gym and have been intentionally trying to better my overall cardiovascular fitness. I am a former fireman and member of the military but after 15 years and many lbs later, I am getting back into things. My doctor has encouraged me to exercise after my last physical.

My question, I’ve been walking on the treadmill but not sure what would be good to build heart health. What heart rate should I stay at and for how long? When should I start jogging? How often should I walk? Thanks Fitbit family, I use the Inspire 2.

[RiekoC]

Hello & welcome @Catch84 

First of all, I want to thank you for your service as a former fireman and member of the military.

Congratulations on working on improving your cardio fitness. According to the CDC page  How much physical activity do adults need, the recommendation is 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise (Fitbit Cardio range) or 75 minutes of vigorous/high intensity exercise (Fitbit Peak zone) or a combination of the 2 on a weekly basis. BTW, there's a link on that CDC page for recommended physical activity for older adults, if you happen to fit that category. 

I believe with this information, you should be able to plan your weekly exercise routine to meet the recommended guidelines. And remember, it's okay to do more than the recommended guidelines.