If you have bought a new bike to get fit with this year – or you are thinking of doing so – you’re not alone. A lot of people buy a new exercise bike in the January sales so they can get fitter and lose the weight they put on over Christmas.
But a lot of them will only persevere in using it for a short time before it ceases to be used. You are probably thinking this won’t happen to you, but to make sure the odds are tipped even more in your favour, here are some tips you can use to keep on pedalling for a long time yet.
Firstly think about when you are going to use your bike and how long you are going to use it for. If it becomes a chore you won’t want to use it, so it is important not to start off too enthusiastically to begin with. Have a look at your timetable or diary and see where you can easily fit in ten or fifteen minutes on your exercise bike. It may not sound like much time but it will be enough to get you going without overdoing it.
This is the main tripping point for a lot of people. The need to shape up and lose weight leads them to do too much initially. They aim for half an hour or even more to begin with when they aren’t used to it. And that leads to aching muscles and a stiff back the next day! If you feel like that you aren’t going to be inspired to get back on and do some more. So make sure you start slowly – there will be plenty of time to build up later on.
Another thing to remember is that you will know when you need to increase the rate and time for which you are exercising. You will complete your initial ten or fifteen minutes and then feel as if you haven’t actually done anything. When you feel like this, add on another five minutes. You will soon know when you are beginning to push yourself once again.
Lots of people will be starting the New Year with a new hobby – riding their exercise bike. How about you? If you haven’t bought one yet why not consider it now while there are still some good deals around to take advantage of?