Riding for Fitness

Do you like to be outside and want to get some exercise? Perhaps you used to run but now find the impact on your hips, knees and ankles too much? Cycling is a great way to work out outdoors with the added opportunity to see more of the outside world than you might just walking or running. You can cycle on road, off road or if it is simply too unpleasant outside you can even bring your cycling indoors. Embarking on any fitness program means balancing the amount of time you have overall with your goals. Using the FIT principle will help you ensure that your activities will help you support your goals.

F = Frequency = How many sessions can you do per week and it’s important to be realistic. A program with 10 sessions will be set up differently to one with 3 per week.

I = Intensity = How hard are you going to work each session? Ultimately you will need to spend some time working hard to see significant improvements. Remember this hard work is with respect to you and your abilities, age, previous injuries and your goals.

T = Time (per session) = How much time can you allow for each session.

When you first start, developing a habit of getting out on your bike is generally the hardest part. When the weather changes for the worse it is easy to give the bike a miss and skip a session. Remember that if you don’t stick to your program your goals will be further away so investing in the right gear to allow you to keep training despite the weather or using an indoor trainer can help you keep those training sessions going. There’s always the chance to watch either a training specific DVD or the telly during these sessions too.

Once you have developed your "habit" and not only enjoy your cycling but are also getting out on your bike frequently it is time to work on your goals. Is you main aim weight loss? Perhaps you want to complete the 50km Spring Cycle or the longer Gong Ride? maybe you want to race Triathlons or do a MTB race? Perhaps you just want to be fit enough to join a large bunch riding through some of the local national parks? different goals need different types of programs but with some clear direction you might be surprised how quickly you can develop fitness for different activities. So what are your goals? Please don't hesitate to drop past the shop and let us know - perhaps we can give you some pointers. If you are ready to take the next step make a booking with one of our personal trainers and get that hands on approach to get the most out of your time on the bike.