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Of all the possible exercises there are to help you lose weight, cycling is one of the best. If you want to lose weight and are looking for the perfect exercise, or if you're looking for a great calorie burning exercise to add to your exercise repertoire, this article is for you. We'll tell you why cycling is so great and what it can do for you, what you'll need to get started and provide helpful hints that will help you to cycle effectively and safely for the rest of your life. The benefits of cycling Cycling has many health benefits, particularly for those that want to lose weight. Here are just some of the great aspects of cycling. Cycling is one of the easiest aerobics exercises to start with because it offers a very wide range of training intensities, including very low levels of intensity. Cycling is a non-weight bearing exercise so it is easy on the joints, muscles and tendons. Cycling can be done relatively safely at almost any age. Cycling is a perfect cross-training exercise for running, swimming, skiing, etc and can add variety to any exercise program. Cycling is becoming safer as state governments and local city councils invest in dedicated bike tracks and designated bike lanes on city and country roads. Why cycle? If you want to lose weight, there are many reasons for you to consider cycling as part of your daily exercise regime. Here are just 10 of the great things cycling can do for you: 1. Help you burn excess calories and lose weight. 2. Improve your cardiovascular fitness and gain more energy. 3. Help you avoid lifestyle diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. 4. Help you to increase your exercise intensity in a slow and controlled manner. 5. Help you combine exercise with spending time with your partner, children or friends. 6. Help you meet people (by joining a cycling club for example). 7. Help you add variety to your current exercise routine. 8. Help you combine exercise in the fresh air with exploring new places and enjoying new scenery. 9. Help you tone, strengthen and shape the muscles in your legs, bottom and arms. 10. Provide you with exercise that is easy to build progression (faster and/or longer rides) and intensity variation (varying your riding speed and distances) into. One of the greatest things about cycling, is how easy and relatively inexpensive it is to get started (assuming you can ride a bike of course and even if you can't that is not an insurmountable problem). Of course there are those of us who really get into cycling and spend a small fortune on fancy equipment, but for those who just want to get started and lose weight, here's a list of the absolute essentials you'll need as well as the optional extras you should consider to make your riding more enjoyable. An inexpensive bike with few features is OK to get started but we recommend as a minimum you get a bike with quick-release wheel hubs so you can get the wheels off easily without a spanner when you get that inevitable puncture during a ride. Getting the right sized bike for you is very important so visit your local bike shop first and ask them what the right sized bike for you is. There are many types of bikes available from road racing bikes to pure mountain bikes and all sorts in between. Which style of bike is best for you depend upon where you are going to ride the bike, whether you want comfort or speed and how much you have to spend? For those of you wanting to ride just to lose weight and will do most of your riding on sealed roads and bike paths, we recommend a hybrid bike with road tires. Hybrid bikes tend to have slightly wider wheels than pure road bikes and have a much more comfortable upright riding position. Setting up your seat height is very important. You know your bike seat is at the correct height when your leg has a slight bend in it at the knee when the corresponding pedal is closest to the ground. If you buy your bike from a bike shop, make sure they adjust your seat height for you. Unless you're just riding around your block a few times a week, you're going to need some spare tubes, a pair of tyre levers and a bike pump. The most important things about spare tubes are that you carry at least two of them and that they are the right size for your bike. Tyre levers are essential in helping to remove and replace your tires from the wheel rims. Only being small, these levers can easily be carried in a bum-bag or in a specially designed carry bag that fits at the back of your bike seat. Always carries a functional bike pump that has the right connection for the valves in your tubes. Most bike pumps have racks that allow you to attach the pump to the frame of your bike for convenience. While cycling drink small amount of water often and never go longer than 15 minutes or so without taking a drink. Because it makes you sweat, cycling makes your body use and loses a great deal of fluid which must be replaced to avoid dehydration. When cycling outside always wears sunglasses and sunscreen unless it is very early in the morning or late in the evening. Modern cycling shorts have a chamois sown into their seat which provides extra padding between you and the bike seat and helps wick moisture away from your skin keeping you dry and helping you avoid chafing. Believe it or not, one part of the body that can do it tough while cycling is the hands. Padded bike gloves can help reduce the pressure on the hands, particularly on longer rides and for the small amount they cost are well worth it.While a basic speedometer can help you monitor speed and distance; these can be influenced greatly by things such as strong winds and steep hills. Heart rate monitors help overcome the inconsistencies of these outside influences and are the perfect tool to measure your exercise intensity. Conclusion If you want to lose weight and are looking for the perfect exercise, or if you're looking for a great calorie burning exercise to add to your exercise repertoire, cycling may be for you. Now you know why cycling is so great and what it can do for you, what you'll need to get started and keep cycling effectively and safely for the rest of your life there's only one thing to do. Give it a go. Cycling is sure to help you become a happier, healthier you. Mark Lander is experienced internet marketing consultant and writes articles on Bike Shop Worcester Park, Cycle Shop, Cycle Shop Worcester Park, Cycle shop Kingston Upon Thames, Cycle Shop Ewell, Cycle Scheme, Cycle To Work, Bike accessories, Bike helmet etc.
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