Due to injuries or the physical pounding of running or jogging many of us cut back on our outdoor training. If we want to continue our level of fitness and maintain the emotional and physical benefits that go with it, biking is an alternative. If like me I enjoyed running but after arthroscopic knee surgery it was recommended I take up riding a bike or risk knee replacement. I wanted the continued benefits of outdoor activities so began cycling. Biking can transplant our former exercise program whether it is running; jogging or walking is easy on the joints and provides a great workout.
There are generally four main categories of bicycles and I provide a brief overview. If you would like the exact benefits of each machine and their nuances I suggest you drop by any of the specialty bike shops in your area.
The first bicycle is called the racing bike, usually very light, has multiple gear sets, very thin tires and glides very easily. In most cases this bike is for an individual who is serious about riding and the training that goes with it. There are usually bike clubs that a person can join to supply camaraderie or you can ride by yourself. It is recommended that you purchase special shoes for this bike to get the maximum benefit but you need not if purchasing for light workouts. The price point can be anywhere from $1,000 to many thousands depending on your ability and level of bike. It is a product that can be used by the beginner or someone endeavoring to maintain a high level of fitness. The only drawback for the casual rider is that the tires can puncture easily and you need to carry a repair kit and know how to use it.
The second bicycle many people purchase today is the mountain bike. It is usually a little bigger than racing bikes and the tires are much wider and studded to allow off road riding and are equipped with multiple gear sets and hand brakes. This unit can be ridden both in the city and the country is designed for someone who wants a workout in hard bumpy terrain. There are clubs you can join and specialized areas like ski hills and country properties that offer managed trails for use in the spring, summer and fall. The price point is from $500 -2,000 dollars for the better ones. Once again the type of work out or level of fitness you want up to you. People of all ages use them for recreation and fitness
The third bike is usually referred to as the hybrid can be ridden on the street and parks and is becoming one of the most popular bikes for fitness and pleasure especially in the city. The bikes come in all models depending on the usage. There are ones designed for cruising to ones that can provide for faster rides and better levels of fitness. In most cases the tires are between those of a racer and mountain bike although ones used for speed and more intense workouts are thinner. The bike comes with multiple gearing and hand brakes with a price point of between $375 to $1500 dollars.
The last of the bicycles is the original model and comes with hand gears and brakes or the standard pedal brake and no gears. They are primarily used for pleasure but do allow for fitness on longer rides. The tires are larger than that of the hybrid and provide a smooth ride from one point to the other at a comfortable pace. The price point is from $125 to $500.
Bicycling has become more and more popular and can provide great fitness for the young, middle age, older and weekend warrior types. It is a good practice to buy and wear a helmet as you never know when you can tumble or a car inadvertently causes you to crash.
The author has been using fitness and diet techniques for over 20 years and has a Bsc from Boston University.
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