5 Global Fitness Secrets You Can Steal

Netherlands: Running Errands by Bike

The Dutch use their bikes for just about everything—shopping, commuting, and bringing bunches of tulips to family and friends. Half the population of Amsterdam cycle daily (compared with less than 2 percent of Americans), and over 85 percent ride least once a week. In a research review published last year, Dutch academics concluded that the health benefits of bike riding far outweigh the potential risks of exposure to air pollution or the odds of getting in an accident. You, too, could be better off on your bike. Cycling to work allows you to replace your sedentary commute with a moderate-intensity workout. If that's just not feasible (helmet head, sweat stains—we get it), consider attaching a basket and using your bike to do weekend chores. Pedaling with that extra weight will make your quads, hamstrings, and glutes work even harder.