The weather in our section is a challenge just about all year round. Due to the snow, sub zero temperatures, heat, rain, wind and humidity, I’m typically required to workout inside. I recently decided to add to my inventory of exercise equipment. I wasn’t happy with hand-weights, jump rope, resistance bands and a yoga mat. I began checking into the various makes, models and types of treadmills, ellipticals, stairmasters and stationary bikes. I read about the pros and cons of each one and eliminated those options that were stressful on the joints. I often have complaints with my feet, ankles and knees. I was interested in a method of burning large amounts of calories in a brief amount of time. I finally decided on a stationary bike. Although it was rather expensive, I feel it was a worthwhile investment. The stationary bike isn’t all that big and supplies a great workout. I can pedal for fifteen minutes or two hours and suffer no stress or pain in my joints. I manage to work up a good sweat and elevate my heart rate very quickly. The bike lets me pick from a variety of preset workouts or choose my own program. I can personalize each session by selecting time, distance or calories burned. It’s simple to increase the intensity by changing resistance or by pedaling faster. The bike keeps a record of my workouts, and I can compete against myself. I listen to music while I pedal the bike and often read on my Kindle. The sessions are so fun that riding the bike seems like a cheat day.