Riding your bicycle for fun, transport, or sport is an excellent way to stay fit. Cycling is an effective and exciting form of aerobic exercise. It can improve your cardiovascular health, help you shed weight while reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
You do not have to participate in the Tour de France to gain valuable benefits through cycling. All you may need is a good bike, bicycle insurance, and a positive mindset. Here are few reasons why you should consider taking a ride on your bike more.
Low Impact Exercises
Cycling is easy on your body, as compared to compound workouts in the gym. It provides a softer entry for beginners starting on their fitness journey. You can begin with a 10-minute daily, working up to over 150 minutes each week. The low-impact exercises mean less risk of sustaining a sports injury during your workouts.
Improved Joint Mobility
Riding your bicycle may also improve your joint health. Cycling can reduce joint stiffness, reducing the impact of stress on weight-bearing joints such as your knees and ankles. The peddling also provides a range of motion, vital for your tendons and muscles.
Improved Balance and Coordination
As you stabilise your body on the bike and keep it upright, you continuously build on your posture, balance, and coordination. Your posture and coordination may worsen due to age or inactivity, increasing the risk of fall injuries. Taking your bike out for a ride can help restore and preserve your posture and coordination.
Better Weight Control
Cycling is also an excellent way to manage your weight. Research indicates that a 15-minute bike ride to your workplace and back daily can help burn an equivalent of 11 pounds of fat annually. You can improve your metabolism through frequent cycling to maintain a fit body.
Good for Your Mental Health
Your bike may also act as a stress reliever. Outdoor cycling such as mountain biking can reconnect you with nature, working as a stress reliever. Exercise can also help you to get a good night’s sleep which may help improve your mood.
Exercise produces endorphins, which are vital hormones in combating stress and depression. You can include your whole family in practice, making up for excellent bonding moments.
Increase Stamina and Strength
Cycling can target major muscle groups, including your back, quadriceps, and abdominals. You can increase your intensity gradually, building on your stamina. Also, you can improve your muscular and cardiovascular endurance, accelerating your path to health and fitness.
Prevent Lifestyle Medical Conditions
You may increase your risk of lifestyle diseases by adopting sedentary living. Cycling can help you attain the recommended level of aerobic exercise to keep you healthy. Building on your cardiovascular health can minimise your risk of exposure to stroke, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
Cycling can also help manage your insulin levels, offering better control over diabetes type Ⅱ. Get your heart pumping stronger by riding your bike for a few minutes every day to keep you healthy.
Conclusion
Your bike may ease your way into the fitness world by providing a low-cost and low-impact workout that you can intensify over time. Other options like attending a communal gym or setting up your gym at home might prove expensive to set up in your fitness quest. Remember to have the proper safety equipment, such as a helmet, as you head out for your ride.