Womens Bicycles

Too many people think about the design which was made popular in the 1800’s for womens bicycles. These had a low sweeping top tube to accommodate a dress. These days there is no longer a need for the low top tube. There is however, still a need for a different design in the bike. This is because of the way a woman’s body is different from a man’s. There are a few different things to keep in mind when buying a bike as a woman. This will prevent you from buying a bike which will be okay. By keeping a few different things in mind, you will be able to buy a bike which will be great.

Anatomy of a Woman

Before buying that unisex bike, keep in mind how a woman’s body id different from a man’s. Women have a shorter torso, longer arms and longer legs than a man. This is something which should be kept in mind when buying womens bicycles. The right bike will be designed to meet the specific needs of a woman. This should be accomplished without any modifications being done to the bike after it has been purchased.

The Angle of the Seat Tube

Because women have longer legs than men, womens bicycles should accommodate for this fact. This means having a seat tube which is almost completely perpendicular to the ground. This allows for a longer distance between the seat and the pedals. Having the right angle on the tube allows a woman to be able to easily reach the pedals and not have her knees in her chest. The seat can also be pitched to create a perfect angle to reach the handle bars.

The Right Length Top Tube

The right womens bicycles will have a top tube which will bring the handlebars closer to the seat. This is because the woman’s torso is shorter. The closer bars will also allow a greater angle on the front fork. This will increase the wheel base for a steadier ride. This is important as all of the changes which are made should be in tandem to allow for a better ride. Some manufacturers will make one change without regarding the angles and lengths for the rest of the bike. This is a mistake seeing as it will cause for a bad ride and can even lead to accidents.

Careful for Toe Overlap

One danger which is common in womens bicycles is the danger of hitting the front wheel with your toe. This can happen when the wheel is too close to where you are pedaling. This is a danger when you are traveling at slow speeds, but can still cause serious injuries. If the manufacturer has not compensated for the possible overlap, you may want to consider buying a shorter crank. This will cause you to have to pedal faster because your feet are closer to the crankshaft, but you will at least be free from danger. Better yet, simply buy a bike which has accommodated for your safety.

Photo Credits: richardmasoner

Originally posted 2010-03-29 03:02:58. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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  • trirunPreparing Yourself for the Triathlon Run Running in a triathlon is unlike any other running you have done in your life. This is because the triathlon run is completed after you have already swum and rode a bike. You will be tired and ready to stop, but you will need to dig in and find a......
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Swim Gear

There is more to swim gear than just a pair of swim trunks. The gear you purchase will help you to train as well as during competitions. You do not have to spend a lot on the stuff you will use. The important thing is more just to have the equipment which will help you to get the most out of your swimming. You can invest in items which will help to strengthen the muscles you will use during competition, equipment to reduce drag and items which will make it possible for you to swim more comfortably.

Training Gear

There are many different kinds of swim gear you can use to train with. Of the most recognizable is the kick board. This helps to improve the strength of your legs. You can either use the board with or without flippers. The way the board helps you is by allowing your torso to stay out of water and creating drag. Your legs alone will be responsible for forward momentum.

For those looking to build upper body strength, the swim gear you can purchase is a little different. You can purchase push boards which strap on to your hands. These are little more than pieces of plastic in a square. How they help you is by giving you a good idea about whether you are completing a proper stroke or not. All power from your stroke will be translated instantly into movement. You can also purchase floaters which are clenched between your thighs. This creates more drag and forces your legs to stay together. This helps to build upper body strength while training you to keep your legs together as you swim.

Drag Reducing Equipment

The kind of swim gear you wear should help you to swim faster by reducing drag. This starts with the right suit. This includes making sure the suit is as close to your body as possible. One thing to look out for here are seams which do not bulge out from the suit as it meets your body. Another important piece of equipment to reduce drag is the swim cap. This is little more than a piece of latex which will be stretched over your hair and head. The cap should contain all of your hair as well as your ears. This will reduce as much drag as possible from your head without having to shave off all of your hair.

Comfort for the Swimmer

Not all swim gear has to be uncomfortable when you wear it. In fact, some pieces of equipment will actually improve your comfort as you are swimming. One of the most important pieces of equipment which will make your swimming more comfortable is the right swim goggles. While the square frame goggles are very popular, it is possible to buy goggles which are more like bubbles. These will reduce drag while allowing you to see in every direction. This way whether you are in competition or in training, you will not have to compromise anything.

Photo Credits: kenoncjones

Originally posted 2010-04-02 03:22:38. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Swimming Meet Preparations Which Make a Difference

Swimming is a sport which takes a lot of preparation. You need to have the right training to have good form and a good time. This is true whether you are swimming on your own or in a relay. Your performance in a swim meet can only be affected by the time and effort you put into practice. This means doing more than just swimming laps in the pool. You need to train the muscles you will be using to perform to the best of their ability.

Know Your Pool

The first thing you should know is whether your swimming meet will be in a meter or a yard pool. The standard pool is in a yard pool. The normal length is a 25 yard length for the swim lane. The 25 meter length will be much longer. This means if you are training in a yard pool, the meter pool will seem torturous by comparison. By training in the right kind of pool, you will have an accurate training environment for what you are facing on the day of the meet.

Train Your Arms

A good training exercise to strengthen your arms for a swimming meet is to use paddle boards. These are plastic square boards which strap on to your hands. You use them to isolate the muscles in your arms and strengthen them by creating more pull. When using these, allow your legs to drag behind you without kicking. You will also notice when you are turning your hand. This is important as you will not catch the water correctly if your hand is slashing through the water at an angle. You will learn to keep your hand at the optimal angle to create more push.

Train Your Legs

The kick board is another great piece of training equipment for a swimming meet. This is a Styrofoam board which you rest your torso on. You will then kick your way from one side of the pool to the other. The board will stop you from using your hands as well as creating drag. This will help develop the muscles in your legs. You will find when you strengthen your legs that you will swim faster and stronger while you are in the meet.

Alternate Training Methods

To get the most out of your training for the swimming meet, you need to vary the exercises you are doing every day. This is because you do not want to wear yourself out. It is a good idea to split up between lower and upper body exercise for isolation purposes. You should also make sure you are taking the right amount of breaks. A good rule of thumb would be to swim for five days and take one to two mornings off in between. If you want to swim on the two days between the five, make it a light workout. This will allow your muscles the chance to recuperate and strengthen.

Photo Credits: Greg Livaudais

Originally posted 2010-03-22 10:08:31. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Improving Your Swimming Kick for Faster Swimming

The most effective stroke for people in a triathlon is the overhand crawl. This is a style which is also known as freestyle. The swimming kick used for this stroke is very important to your performance. It is also the most undertrained part of most people’s stroke. It is taken for granted as something which cannot be improved. In fact, you can train your leg muscles to be stronger and more effective. You can also train your kick to be more effective by creating less drag and more push. By following some simple advice, you will turn your kick into a propeller.

Developing Strength

One of the best ways to develop strength in your swimming kick is by using a kickboard. This is little more than a piece of Styrofoam. What you do is rest your torso on the board and then kick your way from one side of the pool to the other. The board will stop you from using your arms to pull you through the water. The board will also create extra drag to make it even more difficult for you to kick your way from one side to the other. You will have to train your feet to be like flippers.

Flipper Training

While using the kickboard to develop a stronger swimming kick, you might want to also use flippers. This is because the flippers will help to show you the angle which your feet should be when you are kicking. You will be able to feel the difference when your feet are angled correctly and when they are off. By using the flippers you will also create greater strength in your legs because of the excess force you will need to push the water.

Keeping Your Legs Together

Floaters are a great way to train your legs to stay together. This is an important part of the swimming kick because if your legs are far apart, they create more drag. By clenching a floater between your thighs, you force your legs to stay together. If you allow your legs to separate, you will know it right away. This is because the floater will come loose and float away from you. The other added benefit you get from the floater is that it will create extra drag. This is important to develop better strength in your upper body as well as in your legs.

Photo Credits: hectorir

Originally posted 2010-03-19 10:53:43. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Choosing the Bicycle Rides Which Are Right for You

The bicycle rides you choose will depend on how you will be using them. When you are talking about rides, you are talking about your bike. Something people are not aware of when they first buy a bike is that there are different rides they can choose from. You can choose one which is designed for the road, for a triathlon and for mountain biking. It is a good idea to make sure the ride you choose is designed just for what you will be using it for. This is because you will find superior comfort as well as superior performance.

The Female Bike

While it is possible to buy bicycle rides which are unisex, it is a better idea for women to buy bikes which are designed just for women. This is because the frame is designed to meet the needs which are specific to women. The seat tube will be at a sharper angle to the ground in order to accommodate the longer legs women typically have. The top tube will also be shorter to accommodate the shorter torso most women have. You will even find shorter cranks to avoid your foot running into the wheel.

The Street Bike

This is the lightest of all the bicycle rides on the market. This is because you will not need a lot of reinforcement for the ride ahead of you. You will be on smooth surfaces with varying slopes. You will need the lighter bike so your energy will be directly translated into forward momentum. The street bike is also designed to give you options between riding upright and hunching down to get more aerodynamics. You should make sure the bike you choose is designed for your height. Ask a good bike shop to measure you for the right size bike.

The Triathlon Bike

The bicycle rides used for triathlons are different from the average street bike. While it is possible to ride a street bike in your first triathlon, it is not recommended as you reach higher levels of performance. This is because the triathlon bike will actually help you to be ready for the running portion of the race. The handlebars which are used by the triathlon bike will force your body to use skeletal support rather than muscular support to create an aerodynamic posture. This will make it where your back will not be tired as soon as you start running,

The Mountain Bike

The first difference you will notice in bicycle rides designed for mountain biking is their heavy reinforcements. You will also notice the shocks which are on the front and rear forks. This is important to allow you to go over the roughest terrains without causing any damage to yourself or your ride. You will also notice a difference in the gears which are used and the way in which you shift gears. Another main difference is in the handlebars and the wheels which are used. This provides you with a ride designed for abuse.

Photo Credits: Thorne Enterprises

Originally posted 2010-03-12 03:09:01. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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