Use a Bike Trainer to Lose Weight and Boost Your Energy

This is a guest post by Dr. Ron Fritzke.

Just about everywhere you turn on the internet you can find weight loss diets. Losing weight is pretty much a guaranteed way to increase your energy level.

I saw a graphic demonstration of just how true this is on the TV the other day. A guy who’d lost 50 pounds using the Weight Watchers diet system picked up two large dumbbells and remarked how much effort it had been to carry those pounds around his midsection before he lost all of his weight.

Good for him!

But there’s another aspect to weight loss that doesn’t always get as much attention…namely an effective weight-loss exercise program. Without exercise, you’ll transform yourself from an overweight ‘soft, fluffy’ person into a soft, fluffy’ person who just weighs less. And to top it off, your chances of regaining the weight right back go up dramatically when you haven’t incorporated a consistent exercise program into your lifestyle.

What’s This About a Bike Trainer?

My site, Cycling-Review.com, features all sorts of cycling clothing and gear, so it isn’t too much of a stretch to conclude that I have a bias toward exercising on a bike.

It’s worked very well for me over the last 20 years.

But there are some unpredictable factors (like weather, chasing dogs, heavy traffic, bad roads and a host of other obstacles) that make cycling outdoors inconsistent. That’s where indoor bike trainers shine.

For those who don’t yet know what an indoor bike trainer is, let me explain. A bike trainer is a rather small (easy to store when not in use) gadget onto which you attach the rear wheel of your bike. Different types of trainers use various ways to generate resistance for you to pedal against (more on that later). Just as a point of clarification; we’re not talking about a stationary bike.

An indoor bike trainer takes up far less space than a stationary bike and it allows you to use your existing bike year-round. Now your bike can ‘multi-task’.

Different Types of Bike Trainer Resistance

Wind Trainers- The most basic of the bike trainers is the wind trainer. Because they are so simple, it could be argued that they are are the least likely to suffer a breakdown. They are also the least expensive, but they aren’t for everyone.

Because they are able to only generate a limited amount of resistance, a strong cyclist wouldn’t be able to do the types of workout programs that maximize weight-loss. They are also the loudest of the three types, which can be a problem if you have tight living quarters.

Mag Trainers- This style of trainer is a good choice for exercisers who are a bit stronger, in need of enough resistance to do ‘interval’ types of workouts. Incidentally, interval workouts are much more effective for losing weight than merely going at a constant effort on the trainer. An excellent mag trainer model is the CycleOps SuperMagneto Pro.

Fluid Trainers- The choice of the pros and wanna-be pros is the fluid trainer. This style is noted for being quieter than the rest of the field, as well as providing the most ‘realistic’ ride. But…it’s generally the most expensive (although the top-end mag trainers are competing for title) of the three styles.

Adding to the sense of realism, the Kurt Kinetic Rock and Roll trainer is made to sway with the movements of the rider. This is as close as you can get to riding your bike down the road.

Whatever the Style, a Bike Trainer Helps Lose Weight Correctly

Losing weight is all about consistency. Choosing a type of exercise that won’t be derailed by a host of factors outside your control is one step toward the habit-building workout program that will allow you to get your weight off…and keep it off years from now.

About the author- Dr. Ron Fritzke is a chiropractor from Mount Shasta, California. In addition to his private practice, he is on the sports medicine team that takes care of the needs of the inter-collegiate athletes at the College of the Siskiyous.

Related Posts:

• How to Lose Weight Safely and Effectively
• Natural Weight Loss Secrets: A Quick Guide to Losing Weight Permanently

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