Heart rate based training system

A computer program product for implementing within an exercise system a method for enabling the generation and performance of exercise program workouts for individual exercisers, the computer program product comprising one or more computer readable storage media having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the exercise system to perform the method, including the following:

• performing a fitness evaluation of an exerciser, including determining an average work heart rate and a recovery heart rate for the exerciser;
• generating a series of program workouts based on a selected exercise program and the exerciser's average work heart rate and recovery heart rate;
• and running one or more program workouts from the series of program workouts, including adjusting an operating parameter of an exercise device to increase or decrease an intensity level of the workout and thereby increase or decrease the exerciser's heart rate into one of a plurality of target heart rate zones, wherein each of the plurality of target heart rate zones is calculated using both the average work heart rate and recovery heart rate of the exerciser.