Benefits Of Cycling: 10 Reasons Cycling is Good for You

If you want to stay fit as well as do some good for the planet, consider cycling! Riding a bike can save you money, help you get in shape, and lower your risk for disease. If you work in an office and are sitting for most of the day, it’s important that you get your body moving a little bit each day. Cycling is an easy and fun way to exercise by yourself or with friends and family.

Cycling is also much better for the planet than driving a gas-guzzling vehicle. Plus, owning a car can be expensive. Between gas, insurance, and parking, the cost can seem neverending! Cars also emit carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide into the air. If you want to help save the planet, investing in a bicycle is one place to start!

If you’re concerned with your health, your wallet, and the environment, the benefits of cycling are endless! If you still need convincing, here are ten reasons why cycling is good for you.

1. Cycling will improve your brain function

Any type of exercise can work wonders for improving your brain function, and cycling is no exception! This can apply to your mood, mental health, and levels of concentration.

Cycling can help to get you out of a funk, and it can go so far as to help to improve your mental health. This is thanks to the fact that when you perform aerobic exercise, your brain will start to produce serotonin and dopamine, the chemicals in your brain that make you happy. Cycling also gets you outside. If you’ve ever taken a long walk on the beach or in the woods, you know how good being around nature can make you feel!

Cycling can also make you smarter! Studies show that your brain works in overdrive while you’re cycling. You need to constantly be alert for dangers like changes in terrain, obstacles, and other bikes or vehicles that can come into your path.

Other studies have shown that cycling can help slow down the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. It has also been shown to help children who have attention deficit disorders concentrate better.

2. Cycling will improve the health of your heart

Exercising regularly is essential if you want to lower your risk of heart disease! Several studies state that those who don’t exercise multiple times a week have the same risk of a heart attack as those who smoke a full pack of cigarettes a day.

You can help keep your blood flow healthy if you choose cycling as your exercise of choice. When you pedal your bike, your heart will make sure that blood is pumping through your legs. This means that your muscles will be able to move without cramping thanks to the extra oxygen.

If you ride your bike regularly, you’ll be able to train your heart to be strong enough to pump blood throughout your body efficiently. It will also help regulate your blood pressure. Plus, people who cycle multiple times a week tend to have a lower resting heart rate, which is a sign of a healthy and strong heart.

3. You can use cycling to lose weight and get in shape

Not only can cycling help your heart, but it can also help you to lose weight. This low-impact form of exercise is a great choice for those of you just starting out. Because your bike will absorb most of your excess weight, you don’t have to worry about hurting yourself while you get your sweat on.

Cycling can help you burn calories so that you can lose weight and get in shape. Every pound of fat is made up of 3,500 calories, so if you want to lose 1 pound, you’ll have to burn 3,500 calories. Don’t let that high number intimidate you! You can burn a lot of calories while cycling. The specific number will depend upon your height, age, gender, and level of endurance.

Cycling can help you burn through that pesky fat even after you’ve stopped riding. Aerobic exercise is known to help boost your metabolism, and if you want to get in shape, you’ll want your metabolism to continue to burn fat even after you’ve stopped moving. Cycling is one aerobic activity that will help you do this.

It’s also a less expensive alternative to a monthly gym membership!

4. Cycling reduces stress

In the same way that cycling can help to improve your mood, it can also help to reduce stress thanks to the release of serotonin and dopamine. Modern doctors have recognized this phenomenon, and several have started to prescribe exercise as a way to combat stress and depression.

Have you ever heard of the expression “runner’s high?” You can benefit from the same feeling on your bike. Scientists have studied groups of fitness buffs before and after their workouts. The results showed that after an aerobic exercise like cycling, feel-good endorphins flood the brain. These endorphins will help you deal with feelings of worry and stress more effectively.

Choose cycling for your daily dose! It’s hard not to start to feel better thanks to the release of energy and the change in your environment. Plus, if you choose to get your cycling in on your lunch break at work, you’ll feel less stressed when you get back to your desk. Your mental clarity will be increased, and you’ll be able to focus without any added anxiety!

5. Cycling is a total body workout

Don’t be mistaken: cycling isn’t just a workout for your lower body! You’ll remember that in order to ride a bike properly, you’ll need to be able to keep your balance using your abdomen, and you need to use your shoulders and arms to steer. This means that you work almost every muscle in your body when you cycle!

Cycling will also help you develop strong hips. Strong hips come in handy as you age, so if you want to stay on your feet later in life, you’ll want to incorporate cycling into your routine. It’s also important to mention that cycling clearly targets your leg muscles. You’ll be able to target your butt, thighs, and calves all at once.

Additionally, cycling will help improve your respiration, posture, and will get your heart rate up. All of these factors come together to create an excellent total body workout.

6. Cycling is gentle on joints

You’ll remember that cycling is a low-impact aerobic exercise. This means that it is gentle on your joints! If you have arthritis, cycling is one of the best exercise options out there. Since you’re sitting when you cycle, most of your weight will land on your hips.

Cycling can also work wonders for weak knee joints. You’ll be able to strengthen the muscles around your knees without damaging your joints like you would if you went for a jog.

It’s important to note that, while cycling is gentle on your joints, it can be a bit rough on your bones. Studies on professional cyclers who participate in the Tour de France and the like show that cyclists tend to have lower bone densities. However, their weight seemed to play a role in the results. Most of the athletes who tested positive for low bone density were fairly thin.

If you’re thin and want to start cycling, you may consider going to the doctor to get your bone density tested first.

7. Cycling can help to prevent obesity, diabetes, and cancer

As you get older, you become more at risk for obesity, diabetes, and cancer. You can lower your risk through lifestyle changes, which can include quitting smoking, exercising, and eating well. Get your exercise by cycling!

Cycling can help you manage your weight so that you don’t become obese. You’ll need to pair exercise with healthy eating to lower your risk fully, and cycling is a great place to start!

Physical activity like cycling can also lower the chance of developing type 2 diabetes. You should consider cycling if your family has a history of this type of diabetes. If you have type 1 diabetes, cycling can also help you! 30-minutes of aerobic activity 5-times per week can help your body use insulin more effectively.

While cycling won’t cure cancer if you have it, studies show that people who use their bikes to commute to work are less at risk of developing cancer. However, this doesn’t mean that you’ll be safe from cancer if you cycle. You’ll need to add on healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle to really lower your risk.

8. Cycling is a family-friendly activity

If you’re looking for a physical activity to do with your family, cycling is a great option! People of all ages can enjoy the benefits of cycling, from toddlers to grandparents. You can install a baby seat on most bicycles, so if you’re careful, you can even bring your very small children along for the ride! Plus, you already know that cycling is a low-impact sport, so even if your older parents have arthritis, they can also join!

You’ll also be a good influence on your children if they see you cycling often. Children generally want to behave like their parents, so if they see you out and about on your bike, they’ll naturally want to come along with you. Encourage your children to be active with you!

Any good parent wants their children to live healthy and active lifestyles. Cycling is a great way to get moving, be outside, and admire nature as a family! If you can bond over something as beneficial as cycling, you’re on the right track. As a parent, it’s up to you to instill healthy habits into your children’s lives.

9. You can save money (and the planet) if you use a bicycle

As mentioned, owning a car can be expensive. You’ll have to worry about paying for gas, repairs, insurance, and parking. These costs can add up quickly before you know it. Not to mention, most vehicles emit harmful chemicals into the air. If you use a bike to get around, you won’t emit any pollution! If you’re passionate about keeping the planet healthy, do your part by investing in a bicycle.

Not only does it cost a lot of money to own a car, but it also costs a lot to produce one. It takes just 5% of the materials and energy needed to build a car to build a bicycle. In the grand scheme of things, bicycles are by far the better choice for the planet.

Cycling is also the better choice for your wallet with all of that money you’ll save on gas and parking. Add that to all of the other benefits of cycling? It’s a no brainer – buy that bike!

10. Cycling is easy to add to your daily life

Unlike other forms of physical activity, you can easily add cycling to your daily life! You don’t need a gym membership or special equipment, and you don’t necessarily need to carve out any extra time in your day to do it, either.

You can do this by simply replacing your car or public transportation with your bike. You’ll be able to make the most out of your commute! Use the time you’d normally spend sitting down and cycle to work or school. You’ll be able to get your workout in without rearranging your schedule!

If you still feel intimidated, start slow. Try cycling just 10-minutes a day in the beginning and work your way up. If you’re fortunate enough to live within a few miles of your office, you can try to commute by bike. Then, when you’re feeling stronger, experiment with longer distances!

If there’s no way that you can cycle outside, you can always try indoor cycling. While it’s not always as fun, it can be a good way to build up your stamina if you’re too nervous to start on a real bike. There are no excuses!

Conclusion

The benefits of cycling are endless! If you’re looking for a fun way to get active, cycling is one of the best options. You’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of cycling at any age. Your body, wallet, and the planet will thank you if you do!