Biking

​In the world of fitness it is easy to get caught up in the new fads of exercise. Advertisements are always showing the newest gym in town. Revolutionary equipment is launched every quarter. The most studied diets come into vogue. It’s impossible not to be influenced by the next sexy thing that promises to make you healthier more easily than ever.

Coaches are influenced the same way. We see equipment, protocols, and trainings that promise to be the answer to all of the struggles we have when helping out clients. We are the same.

Sadly, few of these new innovations hold their weight and carry through on their promises. As we all know (but sometimes avoid) there is no easy quick fix, but instead it's the regular reasonable habits make the most difference in our lives.

Enter the bicycle.

The bicycle has been a constant in my life since I was a child. For play, commuting, fitness, and beyond- the bicycle has always been a staple. It has taken me places far and wide. I’ve seen things that would go unnoticed by car. It’s taught me many lessons such as routine maintenance (maybe that’s a metaphor). Who know how many miles and calories I’ve spent on the bike. Surely, it’s been an integral part of maintaining my healthy life.

As these new innovations come and go, the bicycle remains constant. It has been here for hundreds of years. It’s hard to find someone that doesn’t have deep memories engrained from the bicycle. The same cannot be said for most of us and our Shake Weights.

A grand benefit of the bicycle is that it provides a very easy access point to exercise. While many gyms or programs provide obstacles to health through location, finances, fear, etc . . . The bicycle remain approachable and accessible. Most people have a bike, or know a friend that has a bike, or can find one second hand. They don’t need to be fancy either. My NEWEST bike is 40 years old. That’s older than me. It works wonderfully. I take care of it and it gives me enjoyment time and time over.

Really, biking is only one of many accessible forms of exercise. I feel strongly that we need to cut down barriers to exercise. Exercise doesn’t not need to be the glitz and glam that is fed to us on Instagram and TV. Instead it can be very simple. Simple can be better. A lot of change can be made with reliable reasonable habits such as biking to the coffee shop rather than driving. For some people like myself, biking to work will be a possibility. For others it may just be a way to get out and spend some family time a couple days a month.

Regardless of how you see yourself biking, I do hope that you can dig that bike out of the shed, rekindle childhood memories, and make a new hobby. And remember, don’t worry if it's old, all bikes are good bikes.
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If you're interested in getting your  bike tunes up try these three resources.
1. Your Local Bike Shop - Support local businesses and meet some friends. 
2. Park Tool - This website has great content production to help you with your needs.
3. Sheldon Brown - If you like to tinker on old bicycles, this is the place for you.