Mountain Bike Vs Trail Bike
Core Strength for Cardio Effectiveness
What do horseback riding, cycling and running all have in common? Simple! They all require a strong, lifted core to execute and maximize the exercise. That means that rely on the use of the abdominal center, erectors of the back and spine, tuck of the butt and lift of the lower back to manuver and they also require/benefit from open, lifted and proud shoulders.
It also should come as no surprise that the cross-training benefits of yoga and pilates, in building core strength, re-aligning musculature and developing mind-body connections are transferable to these exercise disciplines.
What might surprise and delight is the use of a rebound exercise tool, the Kangoo Jumps, as a recommended resource for the devotee of riding, cycling and running to maximize cardiovascular training and effectiveness.
A young woman wrote to me recently, looking for a way and recommendation as to how she could put less stress on her body (knees, joints, ankles, hips) while gaining aerobic and cardiovascular conditioning. A lover of Pilates and equestrian sports judge by profession, she wanted a way to maximize her fitness programming, increase her cardiovascular fitness training while preventing injury to her body. She didn’t want to run anymore because of the stress and strain it cause to her knees. I knew her connectedness to nature, the outdoors and the feeling of control thru movement was tantamount to finding success for her training.
While I don’t ride horses, I do understood the desire to avoid the body breakdown caused by of running. Torn, as she was, as I find it to have the closest connection one can duplicate to the experience of riding in the open, free space and having a connected feeling to the elements.
I understood the need to avoid the body breakdown as it was my personal pursuit a few month earlier. As an exceptionally active person, the older I got, the more pounding, I experienced on my knees, heels and hip joints and less and less I enjoyed running 3 miles, 2x week to keep my weight in check. As a result, last spring, I bought a pair of Kangoo Jumps and totally eliminated the pain (and recovery) in each and everyone one of my workouts. For that reason, I recommended the same option to her.
The shoes are based on rebound exercise and are a low impact rebound sport shoe designed to provide a safe platform for jogging and other exercises that are hard on the joints. The boots use a lightweight spring to absorb the shocks due to impact on the ground and create a rebound effect that reduces shock impact on ankles, knees, hips and lower back.
They are Swiss designed for joggers, however, they also provide benefits for athletic strengthening and conditioning, rehabilitation and injury prevention and group aerobics. The unique “floating above the ground” sensation created by Kangoo Jumps has to be experienced to be understood.
Core balance and control are two other variables (and benefits) of using the shoes for training.
Quality vs Quantity
Kangoo Jumps deliver the benefit of 50-minutes exercise in only 20 minutes and the injury prevention potential has already caught the attention of several elite football teams. The boots can be used indoors or outdoors on paved roads, dirt paths and grass as well as at the beach or on snow. N.A.S.A. has found rebound exercise to be the best form of exercise for astronauts because it restores bone and muscle mass lost during time spent in outer space. Consequently Kangoo Jumps are recommended for people suffering osteoporosis, with the “slow-motion” steps and exercises of Kangoo Aerobics make it suitable for middle aged and senior people.
Other Cardiovascular Options
The other option I recommended, and one I use personally during the warm weather months, to avoid joint pain, is a road bike. A mountain bike and a trail can make a world of difference in clearing your head while building cardiovascular strength. Climbing hills with a bike will give anyone keen cardiovascular training.
As a Pilates and equestrian sports devotee, my friend already understood the reliance on core strength and easily made the connection that these two disciplines were good cross-training modalities to support the prevention and overuse of muscle and back pain; typical injuries and imbalances caused by cycling.
About the Author
Gina Jackson, MBA, CPT, holds Advanced PFT recognition as a member of the International Association of Fitness Professionals (IDEA); is certified as a NY Power Pilates Teacher and a proud Business Member of the Pilates Method Alliance. Gina made a conscious career and lifestyle change to fitness in 2000 and assists clients in lifestyle fitness training programs. She is the Fitness Consultant, creator and energy behind the successful stories of a myriad of clients featured at www.FitnessByGina.com, www.Pilates4Fitness.com and www.Prescription4Fitness.com, all of which provide fitness resources, tips, articles and MP3 downloads designed to assist all realizing their fitness goals.
Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike Race: 2008 vs. 2009
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Fort Trail 31.8 Mountain Bike Stem $24.99 Fort Trail 31.8 Mountain Bike Stem. Strong, lightweight, durable and pleasing to behold–what more could you ask for in a mountain bike stem? A great price, you say? The Fort Trail Mountain Bike stem delivers on all counts. |
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Fort Traverse Mountain Bike Shoes $39.99 Fort Traverse Mountain Bike Shoes. Urban style meets rugged good looks in these Mountain Bike shoes built for road, trail or indoor cycling. |
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Fort Dartmoor Mountain Bike Tire $24.99 Fort Dartmoor Mountain Bike Tire. With the Fort Dartmoor Mountain Bike Tire you can dart down the trail with greater speed and cornering confidence than ever before! |
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Adidas Marathon Mountain Bike Shoes $34.99 Adidas Marathon Mountain Bike Shoes. This mountain shoe will let you test your endurance on your next epic trail ride. |
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2009 GT Sanction 3.0 Trail Mountain Bike $1149 2009 GT Sanction 3.0 Trail Mountain Bike. Designed to exceed the high standards of today’s most aggressive enthusiasts and freeriders, the Sanction 3.0 is engineered with a full monocoque frame, dual suspension and GT’s race-proven Independent Drivetrain – everything you need to take you AND the sport of mountain biking in a whole new direction! |
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Fort Comp Mountain Bike Grips $7.99 Fort Comp Mountain Bike Grips. Increase your comfort and control while mountain biking with Fort Comp Mountain Bike Grips. The rubber compound is lightweight, cushiony and super-durable, so you’ll get miles and miles of comfort on the trail. |
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Sidi Sierra Mountain Bike Shoes $99.99 Sidi Sierra Mountain Bike Shoes. Perfect for cruisin’ down the trail or pedaling around town, the Sierra Mountain Bike shoes are a favorite of mountain bike enthusiasts. Three Velcro straps, shaped heel cup and higher volume last give you a great fit. Fiberglass-reinforced sole with mud shedding tread provides excellent traction on or off the bike. |
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Maxxis Crossmark Mountain Bike Tire $41.99 Maxxis Crossmark Mountain Bike Tire. If you’re an XC racer or trail rider who likes to dish it out on hardpack terrain, then this lightweight, fast rolling Maxxis Crossmark Mountain Bike Tire is just what you need to tackle downhills and climbs with confidence. |
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Diadora Escape Mountain Bike Shoes $49.99 Diadora Escape Mountain Bike Shoes. For those who don’t want to spend a fortune, these Mountain Bike shoes arrive on the trail scene with all the features you need to ride strong. Fiberglass-reinforced sole, TPU Hi-Grip tread, breathable upper and two adjustable Velcro straps. |
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Continental Mountain King Mountain Bike Tire $49.99 Continental Mountain King Mountain Bike Tire. Ready for cross-country races, marathons, tours and mountainous trail weekends, the all-around Continental Mountain King Mountain Bike Tire is the perfect pick for your next extreme ride! |
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2012 Diamondback Response Mountain Bike $399.99 2012 Diamondback Response Mountain Bike. Trail-riding newbies and seasoned single trackers alike will appreciate that the Diamondback Response mountain bike offers uncompromised performance without compromising the old bank account. At the heart of each Response is a rugged Strongbox frame design, providing strength and style with clean lines. The Suntour 100mm suspension fork, efficient Shimano drivetrain and lightweight cockpit components provide more proof of Diamondback’s commitment to providing you with the best all mountain hardtail bike your money can buy. When you ask for a solid and reliable all-purpose mountain bike, you deserve a Response. |
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Giro Phase Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet $74.99 Giro Phase Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet. Whether it’s a daunting climb or rock-strewn trail, this compact, cool and durable Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet delivers high-profile performance at an incredible value. |
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Louis Garneau Orbit Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet $49.99 Louis Garneau Orbit Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet. With a detachable visor, 21 vents, and a rack and pinion mechanism that comfortably and securely holds the Bicycle Helmet in position, this mountain bike Bicycle Helmet is ready for any trail. |
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Fort Women’s Traverse Mountain Bike Shoes $39.99 Fort Women’s Traverse Mountain Bike Shoes. Urban style meets rugged good looks in these women’s Mountain Bike shoes built for road, trail or indoor cycling. |
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Diadora Women’s X-Trail 2 Mountain Bike Shoes $164.99 Diadora Women’s X-Trail 2 Mountain Bike Shoes. For downhill grip, uphill traction and exceptional power transfer, look no further than the X-Trail women’s mountain bike shoes. Mountain Bike Nylon sole with Duratech rubber tread, exclusive Multiped system, anatomic design and tons of high-tech features make easy work of the toughest rides. |
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Fort 9-Speed Mountain Bike Trigger Shifter $29.99 Fort 9-Speed Mountain Bike Trigger Shifter. Whether you’re building up a new trail bike or replacing worn or bashed trigger shifters on your old standby, Fort 9-Speed Mountain Bike trigger shifters will give you the crisp, precise and dependable shifting you demand–and at a price that won’t bash your budget. |
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Shimano PD-M530 Mountain Bike Pedals $54.99 Shimano PD-M530 Mountain Bike Pedals. Want to improve your control, stability and pedaling efficiency on the trail? The Shimano PD-M530 Mountain Bike pedal is just the ticket. This dual-sided pedal has an ample (but not too big) platform, an open, mud-shedding design and adjustable retention, so you can click in and click out with confidence. |
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Shimano Women’s SH-WM50 Mountain Bike Shoes $99.99 Shimano Women’s SH-WM50 Mountain Bike Shoes. These multipurpose, women’s cycling shoes are designed for commuting, recreational, road, trail and fitness riding. |
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Performance Traverse Mountain Bike Shoes $39.99 Performance Traverse Mountain Bike Shoes. Rugged good looks and urban style come together in these versatile cycling shoes made for road, trail or indoor use. Rubber sole with enhanced rigidity provides excellent power transfer while remaining supportive enough for walking comfort. |
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Fort Greenway Mountain Bike Tire $10.99 Fort Greenway Mountain Bike Tire. Your connection to nearby neighborhoods, parks and other points of interest is a close as a local trail, road, fire road or greenway. And whatever pathway you choose, you can rest assured that the Fort Greenway bicycle tire will keep you rolling along in smooth comfort. |
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Louis Garneau Trail X-Grip Mountain Bike Shoes $84.99 Louis Garneau Trail X-Grip Mountain Bike Shoes. Louis Garneau’s entry-level Mountain Bike shoes are designed for the trail, yet are versatile enough for fitness, recreational or urban rides. Ergo Grip outsole blends med-shedding efficiency with walking comfort. Removable crampons adhere to all kinds of terrain. Heel retention system and 2-in-1 strap transfers all your energy into pure power. |
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Diadora X-Trail 2 Carbon Mountain Bike Shoes $199.99 Diadora X-Trail 2 Carbon Mountain Bike Shoes. The ultimate pedaling platform for power and efficiency, these competitive mountain bike shoes with a fiberglass-reinforced carbon sole, Duratech rubber tread, exclusive Multiped system and power-enhancing closure system will have you rocketing down steep descents and flattening every mountain in your path. |
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Diadora X-Country Mountain Bike Shoes $39.99 Diadora X-Country Mountain Bike Shoes. Hungry for the trail, these Mountain Bike shoes use a fiberglass-reinforced sole, larger toe box and grip-worthy tread to achieve the perfect balance of rigidity, flexible strength and aggressive traction for all-day comfort and efficiency. |
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Fort 9-speed Mountain Bike Rear Derailleur $29.99 Fort 9-speed Mountain Bike Rear Derailleur. Get quick, accurate and smooth shifting performance in all conditions with this trail-specific rear derailleur. a href=/images/performance/web/PDFs/50-7689 Forte Mountain Bike Rear Derailleur_INST.pdf target=_blankClick for Instruction Manual/a |
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2010 Bell Variant Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet $79.99 2010 Bell Variant Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet. Whether it’s a day at the trails, a few hours at the park or shuttling down that near vertical descent, this skate-inspired and trail-tuned Mountain Bike Bicycle Helmet is ready to play anywhere you take it! |
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Cannondale Women’s Range Mountain Bike Shoes $39.99 Cannondale Women’s Range Mountain Bike Shoes. Don’t know what you’re doing from one moment to the next? Then we’ve got the women’s Mountain Bike shoes for you. Tough enough for the trail, stiff enough for an indoor training session and comfortable enough for a quick jaunt into town. |
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2010 Mavic Cruize Mountain Bike Shoes $39.99 2010 Mavic Cruize Mountain Bike Shoes. Simple, reliable and comfortable, the Mavic Cruize Mountain Bike shoes bring casual style to every trail ride. Shock Grip outsole with EVA midsole and Contagrip lug pattern offer durable performance, great traction and comfort wherever you roam. |
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Diadora X-Country 2 Mountain Bike Shoes $119.99 Diadora X-Country 2 Mountain Bike Shoes. Hike it or bike it, the X-Country mountain bike shoes are the all-around choice for the trail. Fiberglass-reinforced nylon sole ensures all your power goes straight to the pedals while the traction-hungry tread makes those hike-a-bike sections easier than ever. Add a larger toe box, ventilated insole, micrometric buckle and V-Fit Adjust strap for comfort, adjustability and a perfect fit. |
