Cycling Tip of the Week: In Bad Weather, Take it Indoors

One of the many reasons why bicycles trump automobiles is that feeling of truly being outside--the wind, the sights, the sounds you just can't appreciate while locked inside a vehicle. However, most climates don't allow for this experience year round. That's when savvy cyclists take their passion indoors and one increasingly popular option is the spinning class. Good music, a sense of community, no cars, and definitely not weather-dependent, spinning is fast becoming the choice for indoor cardio exercise.

If you'd rather not partake in group cycling (or splurge on your own computerized stationary bike), here's a choice available to even to those in small apartments: bicycle trainers. A simple device that allows to you pedal away without moving forward, a trainer can be an excellent antidote to inclement weather. Picking the right trainer typically involves choosing between magnetic and fluid resistance; fold-up or roll-away; and of course, price range.

Remember, the American College of Sports Medicine recommends 3 to 5 days of cardio per week, for 30 to 60 minutes each time; this frequency and length of aerobic exercise has been shown to provide maximal benefits to the body including:

-Weight loss

-Increased energy levels

- Stronger heart and lungs

-Decreased risk for heart disease

- Increased bone density

-Better sleep

- Improved cholesterol and triglyceride levels