17 Jun Riding a bike outdoors is great way to cross train

One form of cross-training I highly recommend is bike riding.
Get your tires inflated properly, bike inspected and helmet on and ride to summer fitness and fun.

I love the concept of cross training. I love to see younger athletes play multiple sports whenever possible.
Variety is the spice of life and when it comes to exercise and athletics, it can really enhance your performance and even prevent injuries.
When we do the same things over and over, we can reach plateaus and also be more susceptible to overuse injuries. Cross training works muscles in different ways and can spark improvement each time you return to a familiar regimen.
One form of cross-training I highly recommend is bike riding.
Get your tires inflated properly, bike inspected and helmet on and ride to summer fitness and fun.
It’s a great way to get out of the gym and train your muscles in a different way.
All over the country, there are great places to ride bikes from the open roads, to parks, to rails to trails systems, which are literally old railroad tracks converted into trails.
For more advanced riders, take to the roads and go on longer rides.
Riding a bike is an excellent way to combine exercise and enjoyment of the great outdoors.
People of all ages and fitness levels can be found on the trails. For the older folks, it may be the closest they ever feel to being a kid again.
I really prefer the safety of rails to trails.
It doesn’t take that much time before people of average fitness levels can work up to riding their bikes for 20-30 minutes and cover some serious ground, like 15-30 miles as riding a bike is easy on the joints.
Of course, riding difficulty will be determined to a large degree by how hilly your route is.
Biking can be a rewarding experience whether you go solo, with a friend, or on a club or family outing.
Starting at a cost of just a couple hundred dollars or more (less for a used bike), you can be pedaling to fitness and fun. Please make sure to purchase a bike helmet as well – even on a bike trail accidents can happen.
Here’s one additional tip: If you do plan on riding a bike for very long, invest in a pair of bike shorts for some extra padding.

At Home Fitness consultant Aaron Dorksen’s blog deals with a variety of fitness topics, ranging from workout tips, motivational ideas and feature stories on how exercise impacts people’s lives. Consult a doctor before making any significant changes in your exercise routine or diet. E-mail him with comments, questions or ideas for future blogs at aaron@athomefitness.com