15 Oct Choosing the Right Bike for Your Exercise Routine

Have you ever wondered how many calories you can burn when riding a bike?  Although the number of calories you burn is affected by a number of different factors, including how hard you ride the bike, how long you ride the bike and your current weight status, there are some generalizations that you can keep in mind that will help you estimate the number of calories you burn during a work out.  In general, however, if you weigh 150 pounds and you dedicate one hour of time to riding, you can expect to burn the following number of calories:

· 380 calories if you put in a light effort
· 500 calories if you put in a moderate effort
· 630 calories if you put in a strenuous effort

In addition to burning calories, however, riding a bike is also great for your cardiovascular system and is a good way to get a workout without putting too much strain on your joints.  At the same time, there are many different types of bikes available on the market.  As such, it may seem confusing when it comes time to select the bike that is right for you.

Types of Bikes

There are several different types of bikes for you to select from.  Therefore, understanding a little about the different types of bikes that are available is important when it comes to choosing the type that is right for you.  The basic types of bikes you have to select from include:

· Road Bike
· Mountain Bike
· Hybrid Bike

A road bike, which is also commonly referred to as a racing bike, is a bike that is intended to be used on paved roads.  These bikes are built for speed and, therefore, have lightweight frames and aerodynamic designs.  Mountain bikes, on the other hand, are built for riding on rugged terrain and on dirt trails.  As such, mountain bikes are sturdier than road bikes and tend to have chunky, or “knobby,” tires.  Many mountain bikes also come equipped with front and rear shocks. 

Although mountain bikes can be fun to ride, they often are not comfortable to ride around in the neighborhood.  Road bikes, on the other hand, are not good for riding on rougher terrains.  Therefore, many bikers prefer to have hybrid bicycle that combines the best features of both types of bikes.  Hybrid bikes are built for speed while also being built to handle a rough terrain.

Of course, if you want to completely avoid having to worry about the outdoor terrain, you might simply want to purchase an exercise bike.  Here at At Home Fitness, we have plenty of upright bikes and recumbent bikes for you to select from!