Choosing An Exercise Bike

When you decide to purchase an exercise bike, you should first make sure you have a place in your home where you can put it.  If you don't have a lot of space, or just don't want to keep it sitting out, you'll want to look for one of the foldable models. Then, you'll need to think about whether or not you want an upright exercise bike, a semi recumbent bike, or a recumbent exercise bike.

Stationary exercise bicycle. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Once you have made the decision of which type of bike you want, check out the reviews that are available in bike magazines and also on the internet - Amazon.com is a good place to check, even if you don't plan on buying from there, as they have a lot of models, and an active user review community. You may also want to check with family and friends who are currently using an exercise bike, to see what their experience has been. Another good resource is personal trainers who have experience.  The reviews on exercise bikes normally rate their performance and the functions that they have, as well as the type of material that is used for construction.

The exercise bike that you select should be very comfortable to sit on and the seat should be easy to adjust.  If the height of the seat is wrong, it can put a lot of pressure on your groin and lower back.  To find out more about these types of features, it is very important that you read some reviews for valuable information from those who already own the equipment.  Often you can learn about flaws as well, which can save you a lot of time and effort.

Going to local gyms is also a great way to find out about exercise bikes.  And of course, if you don't want to buy one or if you don't have the space to keep one at home, you can always join a local gym and use one there.  But even if planning to buy one, you may wish to try out some at the local gyms and see what you like the best. There are usually several different types available at your local gym, with everything from standard exercise bikes to the newer electronic versions.

Whether you choose to buy one for home use or use one at the gym, an exercise bike can help you stay in shape.  All you need to do is ride it a few minutes a day, and you'll be amazed at just how much it helps you lose weight and gain strength and stamina. An exercise bike can be a very beneficial part of your cardio interval training workout.

A Few Well-Reviewed Exercise Bikes:
   

Indoor Equipment For Getting Fit

When it comes to aerobic exercise, you might find that you get a better workout on a machine rather than actually running or jumping rope. Remember that like every part of a healthy workout routine, aerobic exercises need to be tailored to your body and what is best for your health. You'll need to work together with your doctor and your personal trainer if you have one to develop a system for working out that works for you, and to make sure that whatever you are doing it is the best for your body and your mind as well.

Treadmill (Photo credit: Bitman)

Machines have become very popular when it comes to working out because sometimes they are easier to use and easier to get used to. You don’t have to worry about running outside when it is cold out or finding a way to fit getting to the gym into your busy schedule if you have a machine in your home that you can use.

The point of an aerobic workout is that you are getting your heart rate up and you are getting into shape. You can do this on a machine as well as by running or jumping rope.

There are several different machines that you might want to try. The two easiest and most popular would be tread mills and exercise bikes. On both of these, you'll find that you can get a great work out. The point of an aerobic work out is to get your heart rate going, so if you are riding a bike or walking or running on a treadmill, you are going to be getting some aerobic exercise (just be sure not to overdo it - long-duration aerobic exercise actually doesn't do you many favors, as we've discussed recently; short intervals give you the best results).

The reason that these two machines are so popular is that they are handy. Riding an exercise bike can be something that you do in your living room no matter what time of day or temperature it is when it's time to work out. Treadmills can also be handy, and with either of these, you can get all of the exercise that you need right at home. (Keep in mind that treadmills may take up more horizontal space and be harder to store. They are also higher impact than a bike, so a bike would be my first choice.) Check back Thursday for some tips on choosing a good exercise bike.

Fun Ways to Exercise in Winter

Now that the weather is cooling, and winter is on its way (along with the obligatory holiday feasts of the season), many of us tend to begin packing on the pounds.

It is hard to get motivated to get up and work out on these cold, dark mornings, and depending on where you live, there may not be a lot of options for outdoor activities.

But don’t despair — there are plenty of fun ways to exercise indoors, or even enjoy the outdoors on cold snowy winter days!

Videos and books can be a great source of ideas for indoor activities for all ages. (For some of my favorite recommendations for fast, fun, easy workouts, visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/exercise.html.)

Yoga or Pilates-based workouts can provide fun, relaxing stretching, strengthening, and toning moves for a variety of fitness levels, either with or without equipment. More aerobic dance-based workouts can also be a lot of fun, and can get the blood flowing and get you warmed up and feeling great in a hurry — it’s a great way to beat back the winter blues!

The important thing to remember is that in order to keep your fitness level up throughout the winter, you’ve got to not only get moving, but make it a habit (and if you’ve been quite active, you know it’s addictive!). But in order to make it a habit, you have to first make it a priority. You may have to push yourself a bit at first — remember it takes 21-30 days of consistent practice to form a new habit. But once you’ve gotten your body used to moving and grooving, you’ll find you won’t want to stop!

The body needs movement, and it needs it often — lots of it.

It may be hard to fit exercise into your schedule at first, but you will reap a host of benefits that will make the time invested well worth it.

Activity not only raises your body temperature (important on cold winter days!), but it also relieves stress, improves your mood, and strengthens your immune system, so you will be less likely to catch any of the winter-time bugs going around. And with all that’s going around this winter, you really can’t afford NOT to exercise!

Image via WikipediaAnd remember, you don’t have to exhaust yourself, or spend hours of boredom on a treadmill. 30 minutes per day (or sometimes less, if you’re doing the right activities) is enough to be of benefit, and you can break this into segments if you like.

However, if you’re doing something you enjoy, you’ll find the time will fly by anyway!

Besides videos or structured workout routines, here are some other ideas for fun ways to exercise in the winter:

• Swimming: Many gyms or your local “Y” have indoor pools which can be great exercise year-round

• Dance classes: You you can find numerous classes for all different types of dance, from hip-hop to belly-dancing, at many fitness centers or other local venues, often for a quite affordable price. The recent resurgence of popularity in Ballroom and Latin dancing has introduced many to this fun activity — and it’s great exercise! There are many local dance studios in most metropolitan areas, where you can find both group and private classes. (If you live in the Columbus, Ohio area, we recommend Emerald City Ballroom.)

• Depending on the climate where you live, you may also be able to find outdoor winter activities which are great exercise, and fun for the whole family, such as ice skating, or skiing (both cross-country and downhill skiing provide a GREAT workout, as well as the exhilaration of the great outdoors!)

So go ahead, try some of these ideas — mix them up however you like, to find what you enjoy the most. Once you’ve made physical activity a priority for a couple of weeks, you’ll find your body craving it daily, and your enjoyment level increasing, along with your health and well-being.

Have a great winter, be well, and above all else, have fun! (For more fun workout ideas, visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/exercise.html.)

Related articles on Fun Ways to Exercise:

• Playcercise: Start Playing Around and Exercise! (lifescript.com)
• Winterize Your Workout (lifescript.com)