Cycling is a low impact aerobic exercise that offers a wealth of benefits. In order to be fit and healthy you need to be physically active. As you know, regular physical activity can help protect you from serious diseases such as obesity, heart disease, cancer, mental illness, diabetes and arthritis. Learning about the bike world and start riding can be everything you need to reduce your risk of health problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle.
“Survey after survey says that the happiest commuters are bike commuters. You’ll notice a new shop that’s opened, a new place to eat—it’s a really fun way to get to know your community." anonimo
anonimo
There is evidence that the amount of cycling done can add more than half a year to life expectancy, and has led to billions of dollars in economic benefit. So, biking is not only easy to fit into your daily routine but it is also cheaper and healthier than many other alternatives.
Getting ready to live this sustainable life and be part of the bike club can be overwhelming at the beginning.The variety of bikes available together with the bike riding benefits has its pros and cons.
In case you haven't chosen the perfect bike for your adventures, you should read: The Bike Club: Are you already into the most Eco-Friendly means of Transport? and The Benefits of Cycling and The Best Options for You
Let's continue reading and learn about the hundreds of benefits that this bike world can add to your life.
Yes, it is. And in the following paragraphs I'll let you know exactly why:
Cycling is indeed an effective way to focus on weight management. It burns calories without building a great deal of muscle. You will probably lose inches off your glutes, thighs, and waist.
You might burn 780-680 calories in a 30 minutes session of cycling. However, it depends on what your starting weight is and how much exertion you put into it as to exactly how many calories you’ll burn. The simple equation, when it comes to weight loss, is 'calories out must exceed calories in'. So you need to burn more calories than you consume to lose weight.
Of course, there are other factors: the make-up of the calories you consume affects the frequency of your refueling, as does the quality of your sleep and of course the amount of time you spend burning calories will be influenced by how much you enjoy your chosen activity.
Assuming you enjoy cycling, you'll be burning calories. And if you eat well, you should lose weight.
The resistance element of cycling means that it doesn't just burn fat: it also builds muscle - particularly around the gluts, hamstrings, quads, and calves. Muscle is leaner than fat, and people with a higher percentage of muscle burn more calories even when sedentary.
You won't be alone if this point seems contradictory to common sense, right? But a recent study suggests that people who ride a bike are actually exposed to fewer dangerous fumes than those who travel by car.
Many studies have been carried in order to check air pollution detectors fitted to a driver, a bus user, a pedestrian and a cyclist. The results showed that the driver experienced five times higher pollution levels than the cyclist, as well as three and a half more than the walker and two and a half times more than the bus user. Results: the cyclist won.
Cycling raises your heart rate and gets the blood pumping round your body, and it burns calories, limiting the chance of your being overweight. As a result, it's among a selection of forms of exercise recommended as being healthy ways to cut your risk of developing major illnesses such as heart disease and cancer.
Many researchers have studied the relationship between exercise and cancer, especially colon and breast cancer. Research has shown that if you cycle, the chance of bowel cancer is reduced. Some evidence suggests that regular cycling reduces the risk of breast cancer..
As you stabilize your body and keep your bike upright, you’ll improve your overall balance, coordination, and posture. Balance tends to decline with age and inactivity, so it’s vital to keep on top of it. Improved balance is beneficial in the prevention of falls and fractures, which can leave you on the sidelines while you take time off from exercise to recover.
It’s no shocker that cycling is great for your lower half of the body. Your glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves are all activated when you pedal a cycle.
By dialing up the resistance on your bike, you can increase the strength challenge on these muscles.
According to a report, cycling can build muscle and strength, though it’s likely not as effective at doing so as resistance training, and may require a longer training period to achieve that goal.
Riding a bike is relaxing. If you’re stressed at work, you can often burn it off by cycling home. And if you’re dealing with a more serious problem, cycling can help you regain some balance in your life.
Most of us probably don’t give much thought to mental health. We’re managing okay – or just about managing – and, unlike physical health problems, the symptoms in ourselves and others can easily be overlooked. One in four us will experience a mental health problem in any given year. Mental health problems are widespread, varied, and complex. However, one of the things that can help is simple: get on a bike.
The fact that physical exercise contributes to mental wellbeing has been recognized since Roman times; the poet Juvenal wrote the famous line ‘mens sana in corpore sano’.
The bike world and exercise like cycling has a range of benefits for mental wellbeing:
Aerobic exercise can reduce your levels of cortisol, the ‘stress hormone’. Any cyclist will recognize the reduction in tension that a bike ride brings. If you have a mental health problem there are bigger benefits, because stress can be a trigger for other conditions.
Aerobic exercise stimulates the release of endorphins, the ‘feel good hormones’, leading to a feeling of mild euphoria – the so-called ‘runner’s high’. This can reduce anxiety and make you happier.
Cycling promotes mindfulness, where you focus on the sensations of the present moment instead of being caught up in racing thoughts. You don’t have to think about anything except balancing the bike, pushing the pedals, feeling the breeze, and so on. This offers a break from brooding thoughts that might otherwise become overwhelming.
Exercise you enjoy boosts your mood, easing symptoms of mild to moderate depression. Regular exercise (three or more times per week) also reduces your risk of becoming depressed. What are you looking to get into the amazing bike world to combat those bad days!
Exercise can make you feel more positive about yourself. As well as observing yourself becoming fitter, you prove to yourself that you’re up to the challenge of, for example, riding to work and back. It can give you a sense of satisfaction and self-control that helps you withstand stress better.
In the last years, it has been proved that this old but new bike world can bring amazing benefits to you life since cycling is an enjoyable way to stay healthy and also in touch with the world around you. If the weather is in your favor, hop on your bike and go the distance. Cycling is a wonderful way to explore your local area and it beats the feeling of boredom that can come from repetitive workouts, too.
In my opinion, people should be taught the benefits of cycling from early childhood. If you are planning on getting your little ones involved in the bike world and teaching them how to learn to bike ride, we have the perfect article for you: 9 Amazing Gadgets to Teach Your Kid How to Ride a Bike. Just get a balance bike, a handle and you and your kid are ready to have some fun while learning!
Just remember to play it safe and use caution when necessary, especially on busy roads or during inclement weather. It is always important to get informed to choose the best protection items (front and back lights, mirrors and helmets) to avoid bike accidents. If you want to learn more please read: Discover 10 Helmets Bike to avoid Accidents: Choose the Ideal One
Appreciate the satisfaction that comes from the amazing bike world while improving your fitness and having fun!
