On Your Marks! Get Set! Go!

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

15 Jun 2006 06:30 PM

I've been talking to some of my readers out there and I owe some of you some responses - for those of you who've been waiting more than a couple of weeks, you have a huge thank you for your patience coming from me. I've had a bad several weeks here with a bug that I just couldn't seem to shake. Turns out - it was a dysfunctional Eustachian tube in my ear - now that the doctor knows what it is, he was able to give me a prescription to fix the problem and I'm finally starting to feel more like my old self.

With that in mind, I was talking about stationary bikes this morning and I had more than one note from people saying that getting the bike or picking out the bike isn't the problem - remembering to use the bike - that's more likely to be the problem.

I had to laugh when I read that - I could have written that note myself over the last few years. I was definitely more likely to forget to use my equipment back in the day - it would sit in the corner serving as a fantastic dust magnet and clothes hanger.

So if you're looking for a way to get the most from your workout. Here's what you need to do whether you have a stationary bike at home or are using it at a gym:

• First, talk to the customer agents at the store where you bought your bike or the trainer at the gym in order make sure the bike fits you properly. It's important that you seat height is correct, that your legs can reach the pedals properly and that you are not too far from the handlebars. You want to be sitting comfortably on the bike and not stretching out of proportion
• Once you're sitting on the bike, you want to be comfortable, shoulders relaxed and away from your ears
• Be sure to use your abdominal muscles to support your back and that you are not sitting so rigidly that you generate an ache in your lower back
• Don't just toss the user manual for the bike into the drawer, learn how to use it. It's important to understand how to adjust the intensity and change program options so that you can get the most bang for your buck from the bike
• Using the bike at the gym? Play around with it. There's no rule that says you can't play with the options before or after your workout - it's the best way to discover new challenges for you and your workout
• If you're just getting back into it - start slowly, so that you can enjoy the workout and build up your endurance. Your workout doesn't have to be a grueling 60 minutes to start any workout - it's better to do 20 minutes to enjoy yourself and build yourself up
• And if you hate the seat, whether it's too hard or too uncomfortable --- try investing in a pair of gel pants - they are great and provide you with plenty of padding to keep you comfortable while you are riding.

What suggestions can you think of to help people get more out of their workout?

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger