The holiday season is now upon us, which means one thing for us wellness fans: more fitness inspiration! This time of year, we’re really fortunate to see celebrities reveal their healthy habits and lifestyle choices, which inspires us to continue pursuing wellness and self-care.
If you’re looking to shed some weight this holiday season BICYCLE BARRE, the high-intensity interval training workout that helped Victoria Beckham shed some pounds, offers a safe, effective, and affordable alternative to a gym membership.
Let’s take a closer look at this outstanding piece of fitness equipment.
Key Facts About Bike Barre
Bike barre is basically a combination of yoga and running. Think of it as a cross between a bike ride and a barre workout. While you’re pedaling, you’re performing yoga poses (including standing poses like Vardha Padma Sarvangasana and inverted poses like Upavistha Konasana). As you run, you’re executing barre exercises, which are strength-building moves performed without weights (hence the name).
Bike barre was first invented in the 1960s by Dr. Norman S. Neighbors. A professor of orthopedics at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City, Dr. Neighbors came up with this innovative exercise program to help his patients stay fit while avoiding the injuries that can sometimes arise from intense cardio activity. Dr. Neighors also suffered from his own weight issue: He was a big guy, and at age 82, he still weighed 385 pounds! With the help of his wife, Dr. Neighors developed this phenomenal workout to help his patients overcome their weight issues, and he didn’t just stop there. He also used bike barre to treat patients with arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease.
The Pros
Let’s start with the good stuff first! Bike barre is a safe choice for people with weight issues because it promotes healthy eating and adequate hydration. It’s also a great form of exercise for people who want to lose weight or for those who need to work on their overall fitness. You might also like to try a bike barre class with your kids, as studies have shown that children who participated in regular workouts (biking, swimming, or dancing) were more active than their sedentary peers. Finally, bike barre is an affordable choice for people who want to stick to their budget, as classes typically cost between $12 and $26 a session, which is a lot less than most gym memberships cost.
The Cons
Bike barre isn’t for everyone, and for those who don’t belong to the aforementioned groups, it might not be the best option. For instance, people who want to lose weight might not want to do an exercise program that involves getting up off the ground (which is essentially what yoga and bike riding together entails). And for those who are seeking a low-cost option, they might not want to spend $26 on a bike barre class when they could just as easily join a gym for free.
Now for the bad stuff… Like any other form of exercise, bike barre can be dangerous for those who don’t know how to do it safely. This is why it’s important to consult with a doctor before starting any new exercise program. If you’re doing bike barre without the proper equipment, you’re putting yourself at risk of injury. Make sure you have a bike fitted with a proper bike helmet, front and rear lights, and hand pads. Don’t forget about taking your medications and supplements with you to the gym, as they might interact with certain equipment or chemical reactions with your body’s liquids (like urine or sweat).
Also, make sure that the location you choose to do your bike barre workout is safe. You don’t want to do your exercises on a street corner in the middle of nowhere, as this could potentially put you at risk of getting mugged or attacked by a car driver who suddenly realizes that there’s a stranger behind them. Instead, look for a quiet and safe place, such as a gym or community center. If possible, try for a group class so that you can follow along and support each other.
Which One to Choose?
Now that you know the pros and the cons of bike barre, it’s time to figure out if this form of exercise is right for you. To start, try out a class or take a look at the exercise guides on this site. These will help you figure out the correct positions for each pose so that you can find the right balance between working out and staying relaxed.
If you think that bike barre is right for you, then great! You can take pride in knowing that this is an activity you’ll enjoy and stick with.
On the other hand, if you don’t think that bike barre is for you, then it’s time for you to find an alternative. Perhaps take up jogging or try the much safer (and less intimidating) yoga. If you’re worried about not being able to keep up with the workouts, then there are plenty of other sports you can try out, such as swimming or road biking. Just make sure that you’re doing something you feel safe and confident in.