Fitness:

The fitness element of recumbent trike and adult tricycle riding is relatively obvious.  Steve's primary reason for riding a recumbent trike relates to his need for weight reduction and increased cardio-vascular fitness.

In short, from February 4, 2009 to September 4, 2009, combined with modest dietary changes, Steve has lost 28 pounds.  More importantly, his cardiovascular fitness has enabled him to regularly take on thirty mile rides on his recumbent trike.  Sadly, Steve struggled to complete a four-mile ride on February 4, 2009. 

For Cynthia, achieving fitness was not her main goal for riding a recumbent trike, although her riding quickly resulted in a minor loss of weight.  In addition to the weight loss, Cynthia's left leg (which suffers from partial paralysis due to a brain injury) showed significant muscle development and her whole body experienced increased muscle tone. 

From Cynthia's point of view, her fitness program resulted in a savings of $41-a-month by terminating the gym membership she had held for three years.  As she said to the manager of the gym, she had lost more weight and built more muscle mass in six weeks of riding her recumbent trike than she had achieved in three years of regular gym workouts.

FUN:

While riding a bicycle, recumbent trike or adult tricycle is clearly a fun activity, probably one of the single greatest benefits of riding a recumbent trike or adult tricycle is the comraderie of other riders and  development of long-term friendships.  Riding recumbent trikes is also extremely conducive to having fun as either a couple or as an individual.  There is no doubt that cycling in general is a great ice-breaker for someone new to a geographic area.  It certainly was for Steve and Cynthia, who had relocated to Florida in January 2006.

FREEDOM:

Perhaps not so obvious, riding a recumbent trike or an adult tricycle gives persons with disabilities or those struggling with age-related issues a new sense of freedom.  Suddenly, these groups are now able to enjoy the freedom of independent mobility while recapturing many of the pleasures of their youth.  The concept of freedom includes not only freedom from high gas prices but also the freedom of having inexpensive, economical and reliable transportation without the need of a license.  Even the addition of an electric-assist motor that propels a recumbent trike or adult tricycle up to 20 mph is, under most state laws, still considered a bicycle, which does not require a license.  


Testimonials:

If you have a personal story to tell readers about how riding a recumbent trike or adult tricycle has demonstrated the concepts of fitness, fun and freedom for you, please submit them here and we will be sure to post them promptly.