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Fitness + ExerciseHealth + Fitness

Cycling For Fitness: How To Ride Your Ways To Success

Cycling is well known as one of the best forms of exercise there is. In fact, depending on the type of cycling you do you can burn over 500 calories an hour, work out the largest muscles in your body, and even give yourself a whole body workout. Of course, you will always have greater success if you pick the type of cycling activity that best matches your wants, and the goals you have set yourself. A topic you can read more about in the post below.

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Under desk cycles

You may not even be aware that it is now possible to get small under-desk cycles. These are small portable units that have only the driver and pedals which means they can be placed under a table or desk for while you are working. Something that means you can get a fantastic workout while studying, creating art, or even just surfing the web.

The great things about these under desk bike is that they are relatively low impact, and you don’t need to engage your core to use them. What this means is that they are a fantastic way to start cycling for beginners if your fitness isn’t entirely where you’d like it to be right now, or if you are a busy mom and don’t have time to go to the gym. You can even place them in front of the TV and peddle away while watching your favorite show, and you’ll barely even notice how many kilometers you are doing!

 

Mountain biking

Another fitness option when it comes to cycling to consider is mountain biking. Of course, to engage in this sport you do need a particular type of bike, one that has amped up suspension, thicker tires, and plenty of gear to make getting up those hills doable too.

Happily, you don’t actually have to bike up a mountain if you don’t want to cycle for fitness in this way. In fact, any off-road route that a regular bike would struggle on will do. Although aficionados of this sport do tend to enjoy routes with steep inclines as they provide an excellent workout when climbing up them, and a fast pace adrenaline rush when you get to navigate back down as well.

Of course, as you would expect with any off-road sport mountain biking can be dangerous, even if you are extremely careful because there are just so many variables to consider. To that end, it’s pretty vital that you invest in not only in the usual cycle helmet but the right shoes, gloves and even elbow and knee pads as well. Not sure where to shop? Check out the Seattle mountain bike store to find some great deals.

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Fan bikes

Now, if careening down a mountain at high speed sounds a little too intense for you, a better option for your cycling fitness activity may be to invest in a fan bike.

In fact, fan bikes, like the ones discussed in detail here, have a great many benefits including working out both the upper and lower body at the same time. Also, many models can be adjusted for advanced or beginner users, making them a fan-tastic (pun intended) choice!

Of course, the most significant advantages of fan bikes is that you get a refreshing cool breeze while you are working out. A boon that can make exercising for an extended period much more pleasant, and help you to achieve your fitness goals.


Spinning

An alternative option to the fan bike is to take up spinning insisted. Now, it’s likely that you have heard about spinning, and what an intense activity is it. Of course, this is all quite true because the spinning cycles, without handlebars, are designed so you can ride them in a standing position. Something that can up the intensity of the workout you are doing.

In fact, most people spin as specialized classes in the gym where there is an instructor in front that motivates the group and also sets longer intervals for working out hard, and shorter ones for rest. This method being concurrent with HIIT and so known to be quite effective.

Of course, if you have trouble getting to the gym regularly, or even booking into a spin class, as they can be popular, it is possible to get a spin style bike and do a workout at home. In fact, you can even subscribe to a live class where you access a real-life instructor with real-time feedback over video.

 

Road biking/speed biking

What many people don’t realize is that spinning is derived from speed and road biking, which is another popular way of cycling for fitness. Of course, there are some significant differences between the two to consider.

First of all, road biking requires a real-life racing style bike, the thin and light ones with the curved handles. Although, it is worth noting that you can get a wheel clamp that will allow you to use your road bike in a similar way to a spinning cycle in your own home too. Something that means you don’t have to pay out twice if you want the flexibility of doing both activities or are training for a race.

Of course, when road cycling you will have a lot of additional hazards to watch out for as well including other road users like cars, vans, and motorbikes. Therefore it is essential that you take the proper safety precautions including investing in a great roadworthy helmet, as well as picking out the right type of clothing for your rides.

 

Final thoughts

In fact, some cyclists go the extra mile and actually shave off any body hair from their arms and legs as well. The reason being that if they do take a tumble, the hair can become caught in the tarmac on the road and pull, something that can cause a worse injury that just a simple scrape.

Although, just because the risks associated with cycling outside are higher you shouldn’t let this put you off. After all, you will not only get the benefit of being outside in the sunshine and fresh air, but you can also see some fantastic scenery too. All while cycling to get fit!

 

This post contains affiliate links and I may receive a commission, at no additional cost to you, should you purchase through one of my links. Please see my disclosure for more information.

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TWL Working Mom

Jennifer is the Owner of TWL and Co-Owner of a Influencer Facebook Group Influential Mamas.  Along with blogging + freelance writing and selling Zyia Activewear, she is a mom, army wife and full-time teacher. Jennifer lives in Washington State and is a born + raised New Yorker. In her spare time, she loves traveling, yoga, the beach, writing, listening to books and drinking coffee.

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