It's no secret that exercise is a critical element in a healthy
lifestyle. It's also no secret that time devoted to working out at home
can be tedious and easy to avoid. This article presents a few ideas for
putting a little necessary spark into an indoor cycling routine. It will
leave the reader looking forward to the next opportunity to take their
indoor cycle for a spin.
Anyone with an eye on maintaining their
health and fitness knows the importance of regular exercise. This
knowledge is the major motivation behind the robust sales of home
exercise equipment over the past few decades.
Everyone starts out with
abundant enthusiasm about how they plan to get on that treadmill, rowing
machine or indoor cycle every day and finally get into the best shape
of their lives. After all, they reason, if the equipment is readily
available right inside their home, what possible reason could there be
for them to fail at meeting their goals?
Reality sets in when
treading, rowing or cycling gets to be monotonous and tedious. One
workout looks depressingly like every other workout and the scenery
never changes. This could be a recipe for failure.
Before you turn
on the 6:00 news while you pump out another grueling session on the
indoor cycle, consider a few more interesting options to add a little
more fun to your time.
1) Buy a DVD on location. There are
literally hundreds of cycling videos available. Many are road trip
excursions where you can ride through the streets of Paris or along the
Pacific Coast Highway. You get to enjoy the sights and sounds of another
venue while you take care of your health. You can either listen to the
music on the DVD or turn down the sound and use your own playlist for
inspiration.
2) Buy a classroom DVD. These DVDs are instructor-led
classes where you are actually part of a cycling class in a gym. Other
students are exerting themselves right alongside of you as the
instructor prompts you to stand, sit or increase the tension on your
bike while offering words of encouragement. Some of these instructors
can be hypnotically inspirational.
3) Create a proprietary area in
your home for your cycling. Skip the living room or family room where
other people and distractions abound. Create a secluded area where you
can shut the door, turn off the lights, light a candle, set up the DVD
player and get into the mood for your activity. Make it a special time
devoted to you alone.
4) Find an exercise app or website where you
can log your progress. Accountability is a great way to add inspiration
to any endeavor. Find like-minded people on social media and set up
challenges for each other. A competitive spirit can push you further
than any sense of obligation you may feel to your exercise program.
5)
Dress for success. Avoid the faded old shorts and torn tee shirt.
Proper biking shorts and jersey will make you feel like the athlete you
are. If you were willing to put your money into buying your own indoor
cycle, you should be willing to extend your commitment by investing in
one or two sets of appropriate workout garb. Looking the part will
inspire you to act the part.
Working to achieve a fit and healthy
body begins with a fit and healthy mental attitude. Anything you can do
to add interest and spark to your workout routine will pay off in huge
benefits on your cycle.
No comments:
Post a Comment