For Christmas one year, my husband bought me a stationary bike.
Initially, I wasn’t sure how happy I would be with it.
I worried that cycling wouldn’t be a strenuous enough workout. However, I quickly learned that a bike is a really beneficial machine. It provides aerobic exercise without harsh impact on my feet, ankles, knees and hips. Because of how often I run for exercise, I have trouble with aching joints. I am always looking for effective ways to burn calories that aren’t so jarring on my body. The bike elevates my heart rate, works my lungs and inspires a decent sweat. I can pedal faster and increase resistance for greater difficulty. The bike has an easy to navigate touchscreen and offers multiple programs. I can target distance, time or calories burned as the end goal. Because the bike is super quiet, I am able to workout when the rest of the family is sleeping and not disturb anyone. I listen to music and read on my iPad while I pedal. The seat is super comfortable and there’s a holder for my water bottle. The exercise is so enjoyable that it feels like taking a day off. However, I can burn five hundred calories in an hour. Unlike riding an actual bike, I don’t need to worry about inclement weather, uneven pavement, mean dogs, exhaust fumes, traffic or bugs. I have access to a bathroom and thermostat, and I can be done whenever I want. The bike has turned out to be a main staple of my workout regimen.