How to Warm Up and Cool Down Before and After Bike Rides

How to Warm up and Cool Down Before and After Bike Rides

2 min read
Published: October 15, 2018
Updated: February 24, 2023

WARM UP & COOL DOWN

Quad Stretch

Stand on one leg, bend the opposite knee and pull your heel toward your butt. Reach behind to grab your ankle and gently stretch your Quadriceps, hold for 5 seconds. Switch leg and repeat 3 times.

Lunge

Hands on hips, feet parallel take a giant step forward, bend the front leg at the knee, keep the back leg straight. Gently stretch your calf and hamstring muscles, hold five second, switch legs and repeat 3 times.

Leg Swing

Leg straight, swing front to back, repeat 10 times, use bike for support if necessary, switch legs, repeat. Repeat again swinglng leg from side to side 10 times, switch legs.

Circle Arms

Both arms straight and parallel to the ground, begin with making small backward circles and expand circle size until are are circling straight up and down during a 10 count. Reverse direction.

Torso Twist: Twist your upper back from side to side, and do forward bends to warm up up your back. Twist from the waste in a circle: side, back, side, front. Repeat 3 times, reverse direction.

Knee Run: Run in place lifting our knee as high as you can in the front, run for 15-20 seconds.

Begin your ride with approximately 10 minutes of easy pedaling on relatively level ground. 

End your rides slowly, giving the blood a chance to get flowing and the muscles a chance to cool down when you are done.

Go out and have fun - It's Your World, Ride it

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.

Got questions? We'd love to chat!

Reach us Monday-Saturday 9-6 PST


Store Hours: Monday-Saturday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Find a Bicycle Warehouse Store Near You!

  • Giving Tuesday Ride for More community cycling event supporting bike donations in San Diego.

    Ride for More This Giving Tuesday

    At Bicycle Warehouse, we believe bikes change lives. This Giving Tuesday, we are proud to support Outride, a nonprofit partnered with Specialized that helps young people discover confidence, focus, and...

    Ride for More This Giving Tuesday

    At Bicycle Warehouse, we believe bikes change lives. This Giving Tuesday, we are proud to support Outride, a nonprofit partnered with Specialized that helps young people discover confidence, focus, and...

  • Kids bikes make the best Christmas gifts

    Hide-A-Bike at Bicycle Warehouse

    Christmas magic is real when a new bike rolls out as a surprise. The only challenge is keeping it hidden from excited kids until the big day. That is where...

    Hide-A-Bike at Bicycle Warehouse

    Christmas magic is real when a new bike rolls out as a surprise. The only challenge is keeping it hidden from excited kids until the big day. That is where...

  • The new Giant Anthem XC mountain bike

    Giant Anthem: Full Gas Fast

    Giant Anthem Review: The Full Suspension XC Bike Worth Your Attention If you want a fast and efficient cross country bike that performs on real trails, the Giant Anthem is...

    Giant Anthem: Full Gas Fast

    Giant Anthem Review: The Full Suspension XC Bike Worth Your Attention If you want a fast and efficient cross country bike that performs on real trails, the Giant Anthem is...

  • Giant Talon: the best beginner mountain bike

    Giant Talon Review: Your First Real Trail Bike

    If you are ready to step into real trail riding, the Giant Talon is one of the best places to start. It has the feel of a true mountain bike,...

    Giant Talon Review: Your First Real Trail Bike

    If you are ready to step into real trail riding, the Giant Talon is one of the best places to start. It has the feel of a true mountain bike,...

1 of 4