A tandem bike offers many of the same benefits as a regular bike, in that it gets your legs moving, gets you out in the fresh air, and allows you to enjoy some time in the sun. Don’t worry about building a killer fitness routine at the start. You don’t have to be a world-class rider to gain benefits from your time spent on a bike. Read on for Riding a Tandem Bike: 6 Fantastic Benefits!
1. Helps You to Actually Get Started!
Not starting is the biggest barrier to any fitness routine. If you don’t start, you can’t fail. While a solo rider can come up with many reasons to never start, a tandem bike means that you have an appointment with another rider. This is a great way to use this partnership – to hold one another accountable.
2. Enjoy Companionship
Solo riders can communicate, but it can be a challenge to get close enough to really have a conversation safely. However, tandem riders can easily talk to one another, though the back rider may have to raise their voice a little.
If you struggle to find time with your loved ones, time on a tandem bike can turn your simple fitness ride into a lovely chance to communicate with and care for one another. You also have two riders who can wear a pack, which means you can find a great trail, ride to a nice picnic spot, enjoy a meal together and ride home. Voila! exercise becomes a date on a tandem bike.
Not to mention that you can get a family-friendly 3-seater and enjoy the company of your entire family at once.
3. You Can Help Another Rider
If you know a weak rider who really wants to get better, you can serve as the captain. The newbie rider can travel behind you and provide the power while you steer. Find a nice flat trail that won’t put too much pressure on the new or young rider.
The bike captain sits at the front, handles the steering and confirms that the path is clear. The rear rider or ‘stoker’ contributes to the riding power and supports the captain. As new riders get more confident and build more skill and strength, they can add more power and improve the distance and terrain options.
The captain also often serves as a windbreak. This function is critically important for young riders or those who are working to improve their fitness. The rear rider will get protection as you cut through the air so they can focus on their pedalling.
4. Chance to Enjoy the View!
Once you and your fellow rider get comfortable, it’s time to do some sightseeing. While the front rider is keeping an eye out for trail debris and other hazards, the rear rider can carry the camera or point out the truly amazing sights so the captain can slow down and enjoy the wildlife or other natural highlights.
It’s also a good idea to get in the habit of swapping places, mainly if the wind gives you a break on the way home. Let the captain take the back seat and relax a bit, focusing on the scenery and perhaps snapping some photos.
5. Get Some Sun
The single best way to absorb vitamin D is to get out into the sun. While you’ll need sunblock to protect your skin from UV radiation, sunlight will lift your spirits and boost your vitamin D uptake.
This combination of sunshine and exercise is critically important to your health, from your bones to your entire musculature to your heart. Bone-density maintenance is aided by exercise; getting blood flowing through your muscles feeds and strengthens your bones. Healthy levels of vitamin D protect you against heart disease and diabetes.
6. Protect Your Mental Health
Exercise is a terrific way to transcend stress, lift your spirit and increase your serotonin levels. Not only are you getting exercise on a tandem bike, but you and your partner are both getting a break from the stress of life to share time together, just the two of you. Stress and anxiety can pair up and cause serious problems in life if not checked on a fairly regular basis.
Loneliness is also dangerous to your mind and hard on your heart. If you live alone, a tandem bike can help you create standing invitations to enjoy time with friends at all fitness levels.
No matter what your fitness goals, getting on a tandem bike is a great way to get inspired, energized and active. Pair up with a friend, child or spouse and hit the trail. Take turns as captain and stoker so everyone can enjoy the view and enjoy taking charge. A tandem bike is a terrific fitness tool!
Do you use a tandem bike? What’s your experience been like? Let us know in the comments below and join in the conversation on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram!
