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