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