Mountain Biking for BeginnersBefore you jump into mountain biking, you might need to know a bit about mountain biking for beginners. Contrary to popular belief, mountain biking does not always take place in the mountains. Most people don't even take their bikes to the mountains unless they choose. In general, mountain biking takes place on a rough terrain where there are rocks, hills, or mud. In order to be successful in your biking venture, it is highly recommended that you use an actual mountain bike. 
First originating in Marin county, California, in the 1970's,the mountain bike also called ATB(all-terrain bicycle)is designed for off-road cycling on unpaved environments. The bike has a rigid design for the most part with "26 inch" rims (559mm in ISO sizing) and tires that are wide and knobby, meant for good traction and the shock absorption to withstand obstacles like logs and rocks. Most have front wheel suspension with handlebars that have bar ends added for additional leverage for hill climbing. Some mountain bikes even feature as many as 30 different speeds.
Mountain biking is considered a great workout. It does wonders for the cardiovascular system and helps tone up the legs. You might even notice that there are a lot more women mountain biking than men. If you're new to this type of exercise, it is important to pace yourself and not get too carried away. Common biking accidents include flipping and wrecking, which can quickly lead to lots of injuries and trips to the hospital. For the best experience, find a mountain bike that you like and are comfortable using. The best place to start biking is on a certified mountain biking trail. If you love nature trails mountain biking is for you. But make sure that you start out on flat land first so that you can get used to the feel of the rocks and rough terrain. After a few weeks of biking on a simple trail, you should be comfortable enough to start biking on hills. Try your luck with both uphill and downhill trails. You might even want to consider teaming up with more experienced mountain bikers so they can assist you as you bike.
Mountain Biking Benefits in Many WaysThe benefits of mountain biking for beginners are quite numerous. One of the biggest benefits is the added challenge it provides. You won't be able to get the same workout from going to the gym, walking, running, swimming, or any other cardiovascular activity for that matter. When you see women mountain biking, pay attention to their legs. Mountain biking is a great way to build leg strength without load bearing. Because you're seated comfortably on a bike, you're not going to tire as easily. You'll burn more calories because of the added challenge. Due to the type of physical activity, your heart rate will increase dramatically and you'll end up losing weight and gaining muscle.After you've gotten used to mountain biking on a simple trail, try adding some leg weights. Within only a few weeks, your legs will transform from toned to extra firm and muscular. You'll also have a toned butt and a smaller midsection, providing you with the figure you've been longing for. You're not likely to suffer from accidents due to mountain biking if you are extra careful. Mountain biking for beginners is usually not difficult, unless it's been a while since you've exercised. Either way, it's an effective and safe way to burn some calories. As you become more acquainted with mountain biking, you'll notice that you start to lose weight in less time, that is because mountain biking requires more effort due to the rough terrain. If you've got bad joints, mountain biking for beginners is an ideal activity because all of your weight will be balanced with no added pressure on your knees.
Burn Off Calories EasilyOn average, mountain biking burns between 10 and 16 calories per minute, which adds up to 600 and 1,000 calories per hour. Just by biking between two to three hours per week, you can easily improve your lung capacity by up to 20 percent. All of these benefits make performing more simple tasks such as walking across the parking lot, carrying the little ones, and performing house chores a lot easier to achieve.To top it off, mountain biking for beginners can be done in any kind of weather, hot or cold. As you become more experienced, the rougher the trail, the better. Your first few adventures on your mountain bike should not exceed 15 to 20 minutes, as you want to make sure you've got enough energy leftover for tomorrow's workout. Within a few short months, you'll notice that you have a lot more energy and a body that is completely unrecognizable from before. As a final word, mountain biking helmets should go without saying. A biking helmet could easily save your life just as a motorcycle helmet is invaluable.
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