The April 14th edition of the Washington Post Express gave five great reasons why you should take up biking again:
1) You will burn a ton of calories-at a relaxed pace, a 130-pound woman can burn up to 473 calories per hour. The amount of calories burned will increase the faster you pedal.
2) It gives your joints a break-cycling is low-impact so it is good for anyone with knee problems and is a good alternative for runners.
3) Your legs will get toned-Your quads (front of thighs) and calves get a good workout when you bike.
4) You will bust the blues-British researchers have found that 71% of people who exercise outdoors said they felt less tense afterwards.
5) You will become a better driver-When you ride a bike, you use your entire body and mind. This will transfer to the steering wheel, and you will become more aware of everything around you.
Another good reason: Think of all the money you will save in gas if you bike to work or to run errands.
On that note, here is a good way to get started. May 14th is National Bike to Work Day. This is a great day to get started with adding a little biking to your fitness routine.
You don't have to buy a fancy, expensive bike. Start simple. You can purchase a bike from Target or Sports Authority for a reasonable price. Check out your neighborhood yard sale or Craigslist for a second hand bike.
Washington DC now has the Smartbike Program, which is a self-service public bike rental program.
These bikes are good for running local errands. So you have 10 days to get ready for Bike to Work Day. What is your plan?
Posts
