I live in a section of the country that is subjected to very harsh conditions.
Each season brings huge temperature swings and extreme weather.
The winters are super long and difficult, with six to eight months of snow, brutal wind chill and temperatures well below freezing. It’s not unheard of for us to deal with temperatures down to twenty-five below zero. The summers are often brief but terribly hot and sticky. We experience rain, wind, sleet, fog and just about every imaginable type of weather during spring and fall. While I like the change of seasons, the local weather makes it a challenge to get outside. I make a habit of exercising every single day. I would rather handle my workout outdoors. I enjoy riding my bike, heading out for a run or spreading my yoga mat on my back deck. I like to breathe fresh air whenever possible. The sun motivates me. However, more often than not, I am trapped inside. I’ve had to set up a home gym area that allows me to workout without resulting in damage to the home or inconvenience to the rest of the family. I’ve learned that workout gear is costly. I was able to buy some hand weights, jump rope, resistance bands and an exercise mat. The bigger machines require a lot of space and are especially expensive. I saved up money and read up on all of the various options. I was hoping for a compact component that I wouldn’t get sick of using. I looked for a machine that would target a variety of muscles but minimize stress on my joints. I decided on a stationary bike. It was within my price range and satisfied all of my priorities. I can pedal the bike for hours and there’s no aches or pains afterward. I can burn a ton of calories in a brief time. I enjoy choosing from a variety of workout programs. I can also vary the resistance level.