The Health Benefits of Cycling
Cycling is One of the Easiest Ways to Exercise
Cycling is one of the easiest exercises to get started with. Basically you just need a decent bike and fair bit of confidence (always wear a helmet!). Road bike cycling is a bit more advanced as the focus is more sport specific. Unlike average cycling which usually involves a casual ride around your immediate community for pleasure, road biking is geared towards stamina, fitness, distance, and monitoring progress. Ultimately road bike cycling is for the enthusiast looking for one of the best overall fitness experience possible.
Cycling Builds Strength and Muscle Tone
Initially cycling might seem to only give an adequate workout for just the legs. However, this is not the case as it is a holistic exercise which involves the entire body resulting in an excellent fitness activity choice.
Cycling Increases Muscle Tone
Regular cycling will strengthen your leg muscles, and fantastic for improving the promotion of hip and knee-joint mobility.
Cycling Builds Stamina
Cycling is an excellent way to improve your stamina greatly. One main reason for this is the fact that you can get carried away with your cycling that you don’t notice how far you have traveled.
Cycling Improves Cardiovascular Fitness
The heart is one of the most important organisms for a healthy life but can be damaged by inactivity. Cycling is ideal for training the heart to be stronger which results in less stress of the heart. All the risk factors that lead to a heart attack are reduced and regular cycling reduces the likelihood of heart attack by more than 50%. Getting the heart to pound in a steady way helps improve cardiovascular fitness (I absolutely love this feeling!). By promoting the largest muscle groups (the legs), raising heart rate will benefit stamina and fitness.
Cycling Eats Up Calories
Cycling can train the organism to use up fat reserves and changes the cholesterol balance, favoring the protective kind over that which is threatening to health. Cycling is a good way to lose those unwanted pounds. Steady cycling burns about 300 calories per hour and since it helps build muscle, cycling will also boost your metabolic rate long after you’ve finished your ride.
Cycling Improves Heart Health
Cycling has a much relaxing effect due to its uniform, cyclic movement which stabilizes the physical and emotional functions of the body. This counteracts anxiety, depression and other psychological problems. The exercise also controls hormonal balance.
Balance and Equilibrium
Physical activity serves as a regulator to relieve the stress that is common in current lifestyles. It produces the balance between exertion and relaxation which is so important for the body’s inner equilibrium. Cycling is especially ideal for this process, countering stress in two ways: by satisfying the need for activity where people lack movement or exercise; and by balancing out increased strain, particularly mental and emotional.
Beauty and Attractiveness
Beauty and attractiveness are much linked to body shape and condition. Cycling can positively influence these by controlling body weight and muscular form. Skin also benefits from the metabolic processes that is stimulated. In addition, cycling effects physical feeling which influences the perception of others.
Cycling Reduces Stress
Any regular exercise can reduce stress and depression and improve well-being and self-esteem. Cycling outdoors is also a good way to be one with nature and to feel the breath of the earth. It takes one’s mind out of everyday-life stress and rejuvenate his/her soul. Physical activity has a direct effect on well-being and health. Cycling has many advantages that can directly affect quality of life, as it provides benefits both physically and emotionally. Regular exercise, taken as a part of daily life, is needed to permanently enhance the quality your life.
Whether you are adding road bike cycling to your overall fitness regiment or making it your sole activity, consider the following:
- Consult Your Doctor – You should consider seeing your doctor before getting started. If your yearly physical is due, this is the perfect opportunity to make the appointment and make your doctor aware of your exercise intentions.
- Cycling is a Base Training Activity – Aerobics and endurance training joined together is considered base training and cycling is both. If you are including cycling in addition to existing fitness program, you would want to start your week off with your cycling and then move into your weight lifting activities (if any). This will benefit you greatly as a balanced approach to your overall fitness plan.
- Start Off Slowly & Gradually Increase Your Rides – As a beginner ideally you should start your riding with a goal of 2-3 rides per week to begin the breaking in process. Of course this depends on your first level of fitness and so this can be something you build yourself up to.
- Increase Your Speeds Slowly and Over Time – A gradual increase of speed is the key motive to overall cycling fitness. However, cycling can be strenuous to the body and it is wise to slowly build your cruising speed over time. Don’t concern yourself much with the fact that others may be passing you by at a faster pace. Find peace in the fact that with continued effort on your part you will be pacing right along with them or even passing them by. Remain patient and consistent and the rest will follow.
- Be Better Safe Rather Than Sorry – Cycling is an exciting activity that is very rewarding when practiced properly. Having the correct gear, clothing and know how are essential to getting the most from your experience and effort. Always wear a helmet when riding.