Cycling is a fantastic way to become healthier and increase your physical fitness. It can help with heart health, stamina, muscle strength, joint protection, and so much more. However, there are many different kinds of bike on the market that can cater to different fitness needs. For beginners, some bikes may be too difficult to use to their full advantage, while for experienced cyclists, some bikes might not pose enough of a challenge. Take a look at these four factors you should consider when deciding which bike is right for your personal fitness goals.
Indoor or Outdoor?
For many cyclists, one of the main appeals about getting on their bike is being able to enjoy the surroundings outside. For those who prefer the indoors, there are also stationary bikes that can be adjusted to feel just like a real one. You may want to buy a stationary bike so you can multitask at home while working out, or perhaps attend a special indoor cycling class where you are guided by a group leader on how to achieve the best workout. It all depends on your preferences and how much space you have in your home—either to store a regular bicycle or set up a stationary bike.
What Area of Fitness Are You Focusing On?
Different kinds of bikes offer different kinds of exercise. Knowing your fitness goals will help to make choosing the right bike easier. For example, a single speed bike from steedbikes.com can help you to build up your stamina, whereas a BMX bike will require a lot more high-speed balancing skills and willingness to take risks. Figure out which element of your fitness you want to concentrate on and research the types of exercise that can help. This will give you more information about the type of bike you should go for.
What is Your Current Level of Fitness?
How fit you are at the moment will inform you what level of difficulty you should be aiming for when cycling for exercise. If you are already relatively active, you might want to start cycling at an intermediate or advanced level to make it more of a challenge to your body.
Do You Expect to Continue Cycling into the Future?
High-quality bicycles can cost a lot of money. This is why it is so important to consider whether or not you see yourself continuing to cycle as a form of exercise in the future. If you don’t, then investing in a quality bike could be a waste of your money. However, if you plan to keep cycling for many years to come, you might want to invest in a good bike now rather than continuously buy unreliable ones over and over again.
Cycling is simultaneously a leisure activity, a mode of transport, and a great way to get fit. Hopefully you found these tips useful and can now make an informed decision about what you need in your next bike.