| In today's fitness market, there are any | | | | if you use it a lot. |
| number of workout options. Many people choose | | | | |
| to purchase a membership at a local gym or | | | | Another question you need to ask yourself is |
| fitness club. Other people decide that | | | | where you'll be riding the bike. Are you |
| running is the way they want to get | | | | going to be mostly riding on sidewalks and |
| healthier. Some people prefer swimming, | | | | roads, or will you be taking it on trails and |
| walking, hiking, etc. There are plenty of | | | | rugged terrain? As you may've guessed, there |
| options for people looking for exercise. | | | | are bikes designed specifically for the road |
| | | | and ones made for taking off-road. |
| One popular option is bicycling. Bicycling is | | | | |
| less stressful on the joints than running and | | | | Road bikes are light and fast and off-road |
| more convenient than dashing off to the gym. | | | | bikes, popularly known as mountain bikes, are |
| Most people already have a bike so it's cheap | | | | more rugged and often feature ride-softening |
| to get into, and even if you don't have a | | | | suspension systems for the front and back |
| bike, the investment is well worth it. Which | | | | wheels. There are also hybrid bikes designed |
| do you think you're more likely to waste, a | | | | to be taken pretty much anywhere. |
| gym membership or a bike? At least you can | | | | |
| loan out your bike or sell it if you don't | | | | After your bike, the next most important |
| want it. | | | | purchase you make will be safety gear. A good |
| | | | helmet is of the utmost importance. Many |
| So you've decided that you're going to get | | | | riders shun helmets but the smart rider knows |
| into biking as a way to improve your health. | | | | how important they are. Nobody can predict an |
| The first thing you need to do is get a bike. | | | | accident, and even the best riders have their |
| If you already have one that you feel is | | | | bad moments so a good helmet is an extremely |
| suitable, then feel free to skip this | | | | wise investment. |
| paragraph. For those of you looking to buy a | | | | |
| new bike, your options can be narrowed down | | | | You may also want to look into gloves and |
| to a few basic choices. | | | | possible knee and elbow pads if you're going |
| | | | to be doing some serious mountain biking. |
| First of all, how serious are you about | | | | Also a pair of shoes with a good sole is |
| bicycling? If you really intend to do some | | | | important. A safety item many riders forget |
| serious riding then you need to look at the | | | | about is a light. You should do everything |
| more expensive, elite bicycles. The bikes | | | | you can to make yourself visible to drivers. |
| carry higher price tags because of their | | | | Good front and rear lights are mandatory if |
| decreased weight and increased features. They | | | | you're going to be riding in low-light |
| use space age materials such as carbon fiber | | | | conditions or at night. You may also want to |
| and advanced designs. For most people a | | | | consider clothing with reflective strips to |
| decent mid-grade bike will do. These bikes | | | | make yourself more visible to drivers. |
| will have some of the features of more | | | | |
| expensive bikes but without all the bells and | | | | When it comes to the workout itself, remember |
| whistles that a normal rider can do without. | | | | the basics which apply to any kind of |
| These bikes utilize reliable steel (or | | | | exercise. Eat properly. Drink plenty of water |
| chrome-moly) frames and good shifters and | | | | and sports drinks. Warm up before you take |
| solid brakes. | | | | off on your bike. Do some stretches, and |
| | | | don't forget to stretch afterwards. You won't |
| If you just want some kind of cheap ride to | | | | believe how much it'll cut down on your |
| get around town, there are plenty of low-cost | | | | soreness if you stretch after your bike ride. |
| bikes out there, but you'll end up with a | | | | Bicycling is a great, fun way to get into |
| heavier bike that's more prone to falling | | | | shape. It works almost every muscle in your |
| apart. Such bikes should be fine for the | | | | body and builds up your cardiovascular |
| short-term, but you'll probably have to | | | | health. |
| replace it sooner than you'd like, especially | | | | |