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