bike-related stories
Make Cycling Part of Your Commute
Editor Trades Car Service for Bike
Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment
Photo: Scott Wintrow, Getty Images
The motivation behind this choice is twofold. For one thing, it's active and healthy, which fits right in with Danziger's lifestyle. According to The New York Times, on the morning they caught up with the editor, she'd already run six miles before leaving (on her bike) at 8 a.m.
Additionally, it's a nod to the chilly economic climate. With all of the publications Condé Nast has shut down and the budget cuts they've asked remaining mags to make, it makes perfect sense that employees would find alternate means of transportation. It seems as though Danziger is leading by example, however, can you imagine Anna Wintour doing such a thing?
CamelBak Hydration Packs for Women
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| CamelBak Annadel Hydration Pack Photo: CamelBak.com |
There's a simple (and affordable) solution to all of these -- a hydration pack. CamelBak has been making a wide range of hydration packs over the years to suit a variety of needs. They have options for an expanding array of sports and sizes. The latest women's design is the Annadel, which I just tried out.
The Annadel ($45) is fairly compact, holding one to two hours of hydration (50 oz) and not a whole lot else. There's a pocket for keys, phone and a few other basics. My husband went with the Rogue ($55), which is also fairly streamlined but holds over two hours of hydration (70 oz) and a little more cargo than mine.
Elite Bikers Risk Infertility
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| Photo: JamieL.WilliamsPhotography/Flickr |
According to recent research, sperm quality drops with vigorous biking. Running and swimming don't have a negative impact on sperm quality. But multiple biking factors can cause the littlest swimmers to get a bit shy. Why? Researchers explain that the heat from tight clothing, friction against the bike's saddle and sheer stress on the body from vigorous activity contribute to the reduced sperm quality.
Now for the good news: The most severe fertility issues were seen in athletes who were logging more than 186 miles per week on their bikes. So biking a few days a week for exercise or commuting to work on your bike isn't likely to affect fertility.
The biking and infertility link is simply a case of "too much of a good thing." And it's a reminder to all of us that you should shake up your workout from time to time. Adding variety to your workout is good for many reasons -- it keeps things interesting, and it presents ever-changing challenges for your body. Even when training for a distance race, it's a good idea to incorporate complementary activities into your your training routine.
Triathlon Training Tips From Iron Girl
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| Photo: JY7929/Flickr |
Oh, right, the training. No worries -- Aflac Iron Girl has lots of tips for triathlon training. Whether you're hoping for a faster swim, bike or run, these suggestions will help you cross the finish line well before your goal time.
Swim
Fix foggy goggles by leaving a bit of water in them. And, drink up! Many swimmers get dehydrated because they don't think to drink water while they're in the water. Get your fluids both before and while you swim.
Bike Riding on Vacation Just Got Easier
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| Take in the sights on your bike! Photo: madnzany on Flickr |
However, if you're going to one of 157 cities in the U.S. or Canada, there's a simple solution -- RentaBikeNow.com. You simply go online, select your destination, reserve the bike of your choice (mountain, cruiser or road bike, height, etc.), pick it up on the proper day, and ride!
Prices and availability vary depending on location. For example, in Tampa, Florida, you can rent a bike for an hour ($10), four hours ($30-$40), a full day ($60-$65) or for a whole week ($150-$230). In San Francisco the prices are a bit lower, but there are fewer bikes available, and your only choices are to pay by the hour or by the day.
The next time you travel, maybe you should worry less about what kind of gym your hotel has, and focus more on finding the nearest bike rental shop!
Fit Gadget - Stroller to Bike in 20 Seconds
If you're a busy mom or dad struggling to find opportunities for fitness, this gadget might transform your world. It might also break your bank -- the thing is way expensive -- but it's not a bad idea to invest in your fitness, and I'm thinking that the Taga could really deliver.
Taga is a stroller that turns into a bike in 20 seconds (really, click on "The Movie" on the Taga website and you'll see), which means your possibilities are endless. You can start out on a stroller walk with your kid (or two kids, because there's an option for that), and then maybe you want to pump up your workout a bit -- no problem, just switch that buggy to a bike and take your kids for a spin. Need to stop for a few groceries while you're on the road? Back to the stroller, and you're wheeling the aisles of the supermarket, without leaving your bike outside. You can even attach a shopping basket to this contraption, and a rain hood if you end up caught in wet weather.Taga is fit for kids from birth to age 6, and you don't need to worry about safety. Kids are carried in forward-facing seats, they're secured with a five-point harness, there's a head cushion for added protection and a chain guard to protect clothing and body parts from getting trapped. Hey, it's safe for the environment too, because it's free of carbon emissions. A couple of downsides: Taga is only available in Europe right now, and it costs £1,695 (that's about $2,500).
Tell us what you think. Would you buy it?
RealRyder Indoor Bike - Would it Work Out for You?
Cycling is great, but there are a couple of problems. For one thing, it can be really time consuming -- if you're going for a long bike ride, you're going to be away from home for a considerable amount of time, and for many of us, that can be a problem. Maybe you have to fit your workouts in while the kids are napping, or perhaps you just don't live in an area that's terribly conducive to cycling. But that doesn't mean you can't get in a serious cycling workout.
The $1,995 price tag makes it a bit out of reach for some -- the RealRyder is being marketed as a "mommy must-have," yet I don't know too many stay-at-home moms who have that kind of money on hand for new piece of fitness equipment, especially one that doesn't offer a wide variety of workouts like some of the home gym systems. But, if you love cycling and want more than just a cardio and leg workout from your indoor bike, it could be a great addition.
5 Healthy Ways to Celebrate Earth Day
Tomorrow is Earth Day -- how will you celebrate? Taking care of the Earth and taking care of your body often go hand in hand, and I have a few suggestions for observing this special holiday while also celebrating your healthy lifestyle.- Bike to work. Or the market, or school -- wherever you need to go. Not only will it show that you care about the environment, but you'll burn off your breakfast, too. Walking, of course, is just as good.
- Skip the gym (but not your workout). Take the opportunity to get in touch with Mother Nature. If you have a park nearby, run a few sprints, then use the jungle gym to do pull-ups (just be sure to bring along your own reusable water bottle!). Or, just take a long walk around your neighborhood or through the woods. By skipping the gym, you'll avoid using the power you would have consumed on the treadmill or in the sauna, plus, it'll feel great to be outside.
- Eat vegetarian. I'm not saying you should become a full-fledged veg (although, I'm not saying you shouldn't, either), but research has shown that a vegetarian diet is beneficial for the planet, and a plant-based diet is good for your body, too. And don't freak out -- vegetarian dining isn't hard, and it's not scary. You don't have to come up with anything exotic (unless you want to). Whole wheat pasta with sauce and some sauteed veggies will work, and steamed vegetables with couscous is one of my favorite quick and easy meals. Get inspired here -- you might even start making it a weekly thing! (Bonus points if your vegetarian meal is comprised of local foods!)
- Get involved. Forget sitting on the couch and watching all of the cool Earth Day events on the news -- find events near you! A quick search of my town and "earth day" revealed lots of things to do, including planting trees and cleaning up. And have you ever planted trees? You're in for a workout!
- Plant your own garden. Hey, if you're going to get your hands dirty and your brow sweaty, maybe you want to get something tangible out of it -- I don't blame you. Work with your roommates or family to create a vegetable garden. You'll burn calories getting it started, and you'll reap the benefits of homegrown, fresh, delicious vegetables in no time! Find out everything you need by entering your zip code on the National Gardening Association website.
Matt Lauer Hits a Deer With His Bike
Zooming downhill on his bike on Long Island last weekend, Matt Lauer was breaking a sweat, soaking up some of that early spring weather. Until a deer jumped out in front of him. What happened next hasn't been described in detail, but Lauer flipped over his handlebars, landing himself in the hospital with a separated shoulder.Like a good cyclist, Lauer was wearing his helmet. Now that spring has finally arrived, cyclists are pulling their bikes out of storage and getting ready to ride. It's a good time to review those all important bike safety tips, like:
- Be like Lauer and always wear your helmet. Leave your headphones at home.
- Ride with traffic (not against it), and respect the rules of the road.
- Know your hand signals and use them.
- Dress for the weather, and make good use of layers.
- Use head and tail lights when biking at night.
- Keep your bike in good repair.
- Be aware of your environment. City cyclists don't have to worry about impulsive deer, but they do have to maneuver in traffic.
Jared Seymour Races with Something Seriously Working Against Him
That's Fit Club, Fitness, Motivation
That's Fit Club is our feature devoted to you, the reader. We have all learned so much on our paths to becoming more fit, and now it's time to learn from and inspire each other. That's Fit Club members are constantly working to better themselves. Some are perfect; some are not. But all have health on the mind.
Besides showing you off, we want to reward you for all of your hard work! Adidas is giving gorgeous gym bags to each featured member. To join, please send Fitz your answers to these questions, with a photo of yourself. Time for you to be the motivator!
Name: Jared Seymour
Age: 32
Occupation: National Account Rep for Oakley
What type of exercise do you do? Running, Bike, Swimming, Basketball
What gets you to work out, even when you're feeling lazy? My wife. She is a great motivator when I won't get off the couch.
JJ Gies Fights Through Pain to Make Fit Gains
That's Fit Club, Fitness, Motivation
That's Fit Club is our feature devoted to you, the reader! We have all learned so much on our paths to becoming more fit, and now it's time to learn from and inspire each other! That's Fit Club members are constantly working to better themselves. Some are perfect; some are not. But all have health on the mind.
Besides showing you off, we want to reward you for all of your hard work! Everlast and Everlast Woman have been giving gorgeous workout T-shirts to each featured member! We are so grateful for their generous support and have been honored to partner up with them. We bid them farewell with great thanks, and are excited to introduce our new That's Fit Club sponsor. We welcome adidas to our club and are proud to announce they'll be providing awesome gym bags to each new featured member starting next week. To join, please send Fitz your answers to these questions, with a photo of yourself. Time for you to be the motivator!
Name: JJ Gies
Age: 35 +
Occupation: Utility Player, part time student, teacher and customer service.
How often do you exercise? I used to train six days a week with one day of rest, but because of the tumor in my foot, I am limited to working out every other day.
What type of exercise do you do? Rollerblading, mountain biking and lifting weights. On a good day, I play beach volleyball.
What gets you to work out, even when you're feeling lazy? I just convince myself that no matter the pain or how I feel that the end results justify the means, Plus I know that after a workout i feel so much better all around.
Danskin's New Triathlon Collection - I Tried It Out!
Triathlon season is around the corner, and I couldn't be more excited. Not only did I just have a fantastic swim (the first in a while), but I have the right gear, thanks to Danskin's new triathlon collection.It makes sense that they'd launch a line of triathlon gear -- after all, the Danskin Women's Triathlon Series is the longest running women's triathlon series in the U.S., and they've now joined forces with the super popular SheROX Triathlon series. The Danskin SheROX Triathlon Series is taking place in cities all over the country (check out the website to find a location near you).
Anyway, Danskin's triathlon collection combines quality, style, and -- bum bum bum -- femininity. Because, I don't know about you, but although I like looking tough and athletic, I still like looking like a girl. Sue me, but it's the truth. I can kick butt just as well wearing a pink top with flowers on it as I can wearing all black.
How Did Jen Price Lose 50 Pounds?
That's Fit Club is our feature devoted to you, the reader! We have all learned so much on our paths to becoming more fit, and now it's time to learn from and inspire each other! That's Fit Club members are constantly working to better themselves. Some are perfect; some are not. But all have health on the mind.
Besides showing you off, we want to reward you for all of your hard work! Everlast and Everlast Woman are giving gorgeous workout T-shirts to each featured member! To join, please send Fitz your answers to these questions with a photo of yourself. Time for you to be the motivator!
Name: Jennifer Price
Age: 29
Occupation: QA specialist
How often do you exercise? Every day.
What type of exercise do you do? I do a variety of exercises each week including: interval training using the treadmill and elliptical trainer, weights, yoga, self defense classes, advanced Tae Kwon Do and grappling classes, belly dancing, Sweatin to the Oldies, Tae Bo, walking, riding bikes, swimming & other fun stuff.
Bike Carrier Moves Baby to the Front
There are many attachments you can hook to your bike so your little ones can come along for the fitness ride. Obviously, safety is the number one concern when looking at rolling devices for your kids. A different type of bike carrier hit Fit Pregnancy's Top 9 products of the year for its safety and versatility.Rather than attaching to your regular bicycle, the Zigo Leader Carrier Bicycle is an all-in-one system. It can be a standard bike, you can use just the ChildPod as a jogging/walking stroller, or use the bike while carting your child safely in front.
What's more, the bicycle has added safety features, like the rear window that allows parents to view their child(ren) at all times and the front bumper crumple zone. While nifty, the bike doesn't come at a small price. It's priced at $1349 -- an awful hefty sum. But if you're an avid biker, it might be worth the investment.
