With spring here and riding season starting to pick up one thing most of us notice is how many lbs. and inches we put on over the winter. Getting back into riding shape gets harder with age, but here are a few things you can do in the office and next winter to make your next ride a little more enjoyable.Strengthen Your Grip:
The first few rides tend to bring both arm pump and blisters. The best way to fix these issues is by riding more or gaining strength in your hands and forearms. A simple Gripmaster Hand Exerciser
will help you gain strength and you can stash it in your desk drawer. To keep blisters down on the first few rides a set of Palm Savers
will do the trick.Strengthen Your Legs:
Gaining strengthen in your legs will not only help you grip the bike better but also allow you to stand up and ride more. A set of Ankle Weights
work great if you walk around during your day at the office. Another use for these weights is on your wrist. Keep in mind they are a little bulky and your office buddies will see them. If ankle weights are not your style then skip the elevator and use the stairs.Core Strength:
Having good core strength helps in all riding aspects. The easiest way to build core muscles with out looking like a goon doing crunches on the floor is by lifting your legs off the ground and holding that position for a set amount of time. Do this off and on all day and you will be surprised how tired your abs are. If you just want to shock your abs into shape check out the Ab Shocker
. Personally I don't think this would work nor would I use it. Diet Change:
After picking up mountain bike riding about 2 months ago I quickly learned that what you eat can make or break your ride. A healthy diet not only makes you feel better but it also gives your body the fuel you need to exercise. For my family the hardest part about eating healthy is the time and effort it takes. We have found the easiest way to save time is by using Cookbooks
instead of trying to find recipes on the computer or making them up as you go. If time is what keeps you from cooking healthy check out this Slow Cooker Cookbook
.If you have an exercise you like to do while at work that helps improve your riding comment below and share with others.
