| People are always asking me how to turn simple | | | | your arms and not using the handle bars would |
| exercises into more complex ones so I though I'd write | | | | increase the workout by so much, but it really does! |
| a quick little article about it. | | | | First off, it's a great workout for your lower back and |
| Before I get started, it's important to note that you | | | | abdomen area. Keeping your balance as you sit on the |
| should consult with a doctor before engaging in any | | | | bike without holding the handle bars is a lot harder than |
| sort of exercise routine of any kind, no matter what | | | | you might think. That strain works wonders on the |
| your age is and no matter what your health history is. | | | | lower back. |
| Ok, now right to it. This is a little trick that I use when | | | | It also does a nice job toning your upper chest area |
| the weather is too nasty outside to jog (yes, I like to | | | | (think pecs) and upper back. The act of holding your |
| jog as my main exercise method of choice most | | | | arms up like you were jogging for the entire workout |
| times). The exercise bike. The old faithful exercise bike. | | | | might not seem like much, but it really does a nice job |
| Solid, useful, boring. | | | | working those muscles. |
| But not any more. The next time you step on up to the | | | | Finally, your legs get a greater workout as well |
| old exercise bike try this out. Instead of holding onto | | | | because it's harder to peddle when the bike itself is not |
| the handle bars while you ride, instead hold your arms | | | | supporting most of your weight. Normally you sort of |
| up like you were jogging. | | | | drape yourself over the handle bars and those handle |
| You can swing your arms like you were jogging too, | | | | bars take a bunch of your weight. When you hold your |
| but you don't have to go overboard. You can also hold | | | | arms up and not use the handle bars, a bunch of that |
| small hand weights in each hand if you really want to | | | | weight gets transferred to your legs and the peddles. |
| boost this workout. But actually you don't have to do | | | | Hence it's harder to peddle and hence you get a |
| either. Starting out, just hold your arms like you were | | | | better workout. |
| jogging. You don't have to swing them and you don't | | | | The only downside to this is that you really do look silly. |
| have to hold them steady. Just let the natural rhythm | | | | If you work out in your basement that doesn't really |
| do its thing. | | | | matter, but if you work out in a gym with others, you |
| What's the point of this (besides looking absolutely | | | | might get a few stray looks. |
| ridiculous)? Easy, by holding your arms up and not | | | | But it's worth it to turn that old stodgy exercise bike |
| using the handle bars, you turn the entire workout into | | | | into a massive workout machine that really boosts |
| a super charged body blast. | | | | your cardio workout all around. |
| You wouldn't think that something as simple as holding | | | | |