Cycling is a low impact aerobic exercise that offers a wealth of benefits. It also varies in intensity, so it’s suitable for all levels. You can cycle as a mode of transportation, for casual activity, or as an intense, competitive endeavor.
Cycling is a wonderful workout that keeps you active. It can help shape a healthy lifestyle, both physically and mentally. Continue reading to take a look at some of the ways cycling can enhance your fitness level and well-being.
1. CYCLISTS HAVE BETTER LUNG HEALTH
You won't be alone if this point seems contradictory to common sense. But studies have suggested that people who ride a bike are actually exposed to fewer dangerous fumes than those who travel by car. A study by the Healthy Air Campaign, Kings College London, and Camden Council, saw air pollution detectors fitted to a driver, a bus user, a pedestrian and a cyclist using a busy route through central London. 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. Long story short: the cyclist won.
2. Improves strength and flexibility
Like other aerobic exercises, cycling can build up your muscular strength and endurance. According to Dr. Kubiak, research has shown that indoor cycling helps build muscle in various parts of your lower body. “Your hamstrings are being activated at about 17%, your quadriceps at 17% and the glutes are at 15 to 17%,” explains Dr. Kubiak. Cycling helps with loosening your quadriceps, hamstrings, calves and hips. This way, your lower body is becoming more flexible over time. Plus, your core and arm muscles get a good workout.
3. Cycling may help you lose weight
Cycling habitually, especially at a high intensity, can help lower your body fat levels, which promotes healthy weight management. Additional studies suggest that including sprint and strength training with regular cycling may temporarily increase your metabolism and build muscle, which allows you to burn more calories, even while at rest.
4. CYCLING CUTS HEART DISEASE AND CANCER RISK
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 by the NHS as being healthy ways to cut your risk of developing major illnesses such as heart disease and cancer. New evidence was presented in the form of a study conducted by the University of Glasgow, earlier this year. Researchers studied over 260,000 individuals over the course of five years - and found that cycling to work can cut a riders risk of developing heart disease or cancer in half. The full study can be read here. Dr. Jason Gill of the Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences commented: “Cycling all or part of the way to work was associated with substantially lower risk of adverse health outcomes."
5. Helps with coordination and balance
Cycling can also improve balance. As you have to be in a specific position while riding an indoor or outdoor bike, it helps train your body to keep a better posture. If you’re wanting to improve your coordination, cycling can help stabilize your core. “If you think about it, when you’re on the bike, you have to find that center of balance to stay upright,” says Dr. Kubiak.
