In this ever increasing age of technology, most people are not getting enough physical activity. The reasons are plentiful…too busy, too tired, too out of shape, not enough money. With this progressively more sedentary lifestyle comes a plethora of progressive Lifetime Fitness issues, many weight related.

The United States alone boasts an obese population of 34%. It is well known that increased weight may increase one’s risk for cardiovascular disease, Strokes, Diabetes, and even depression. Many of these risks can be decreased and even eliminated with an increase in physical activity such as riding a bike, with potential slimming as an added benefit.

Which brings me to the point of this article – biking. Many of us as children grew up riding our bikes, maybe to the store, maybe to a friend’s house, or maybe…just up and down the street for the fun of it. But somewhere in our “growing up” riding a bike, in our minds, became an activity for kids, or for the “radical health nuts” and professionals. This does not have to be the case, in fact, it’s not!

Riding a cycle is a low cost, flexible, ever-changing, non boring healthy activity. For the average healthy 18-65 year old, it only takes 30 minutes/day, 5 days/week to increase your cardiovascular health and wellbeing that in turn will increase the quality of your life. For a person who’s out of shape, doing even one fifth of that will have a tremendous impact on their physical fitness.

The cost of riding can fit into almost any budget, and with the flexibility of when you choose to ride, any schedule. And now, the best part of riding a bike is the FUN! You have so many choices available regardless of where you live. It can be as simple as riding around your neighborhood and getting to know your neighbors, or going to a local park and taking in the scenery. Many parks have bike rentals, as well as bike trails available.

Riding a bike can be a Fun and Easy way to improve your fitness, and increase the quality of your life.