subject: Pedaling To Success [print this page] Finding success in exercise sessions does not come easily to everyone. Because the process is not an exact science, and has different impacts on every individual, it can be frustrating for those who have not been able to achieve their fitness goals effectively.
This frustration can be mitigated somewhat by coming up with a dedicated schedule for fitness that tracks progress and allows for a pragmatic evaluation of strengths and weaknesses. By creating a customized fitness program, participants are allowed a tangible sense of control and direction as they try to get into better shape.
Picking an exercise bike as the primary means of a fitness program that has been created by the participant allows for a great deal of freedom and customization as the program progresses, due to the excellent workout that the equipment provides, as well as its accessibility and ease of use. Creating an effective routine around the bike is obviously the best way to maximize these strengths to provide a benefit for the user.
The exercise bike is a good option because it provides an aerobic workout for the user because of the way that it gives a benefit to the body before fatigue is actually felt. This stands in direct contrast to other equipment options which provide an anaerobic workout.
For example, a weight set is largely focused on the anaerobic element of working out, because of the focus on quick explosive bursts of power that tear down existing muscle, leaving the body to repair the damage with more efficient muscles to face down future stresses. While this is an excellent way to increase muscle mass and power, the effect is much more temporary than that found in an aerobic workout, and does not help elements such as stamina or endurance.
In order to establish an effective fitness regimen with the exercise bike, it is important to realistically evaluate what the participant is capable of and how they plan on improving. Taking a baseline of ability is a good idea in this instance.
The baseline of ability refers to an initial workout session where the user undergoes a mildly challenging routine for a set period of time. This serves as an example of current ability, and the record of this can be integrated into the goals that the user might set for themselves in the future.
Once the baseline has been taken, then the individual is free to start working out on their bike. It is recommended that for the first few sessions the difficulty is set at a low setting, and that the time period is a reasonable one.
This allows the participant to warm up to their exercise bike without feeling overwhelmed by the proceedings. Once the individual is comfortable with the initial settings, then it is time to either raise the difficulty slightly, or increase the time that the session lasts for.
Increasing the payload by a little bit on a regular basis makes the body adapt in real time to the stresses and stimuli that it is being exposed to. Once the body adapts to the new setting, then another increase will be required in order to keep the body adapting.
These increases should be integrated into the user's fitness program over a series of weeks or months, which will be key in building endurance and stamina. Put simply, every time a certain setting becomes the new norm for the body, then an increase will be required.
This keeps the body from becoming complacent with a certain setting or even regressing to a previous state of ability due to a lack of overall improvement. Additionally, this paradigm of constant slight improvement allows for easy tracking and improvement, which will never seem too daunting to the participant.
Following this mindset and building it into habit is the best way to find success on the bike. Achieving goals and coming back becomes a cycle of success.
Using an exercise bike is a great way to create a tailored exercise program that mirrors the capabilities and desires of the user. Regular use provides many benefits to participants, and creates an easily followed sense of structure and progression that encourages frequent returns as the user builds endurance and becomes more proficient with the equipment.
