When’s the last time you considered hopping on a bike? For some of us, the last time we rode a bike it involved a set of training wheels and sparkly streamers attached to the handle bars. For others, cycling is seen as a short workout at the gym in between lifting and jogging on the treadmill. Most of us are aware that cycling is a healthy exercise and great way to be active. However, many don’t realize the vast health benefits of choosing to incorporate cycling into our daily lives.
Stress Reduction
It’s well known that stress can be deadly. Stress can cause many health problems, like back and neck pains. Long term stress can cause more serious conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, a weakened immune system. Our daily lives cause massive amounts of stress to build up. However, cycling is a great way to reduce stress! Studies have shown that cycling can be a great way to relieve stress. Cycling releases feel-good chemicals in the brain that help reduce stress and provide relief from stress-related ailments. Many find that cycling provides a break from daily life, and improves their quality of life!
Weight Loss
Cycling burns a good amount calories, and helps tone muscles. Cycling burns on average 40 calories per mile. With nearly 70% of American adults being overweight or obese, finding a fun activity that provides weight loss and health benefits can highly improve your quality of life. Cycling provides a fat busting workout to the muscle groups glutes, quadriceps, calves, and hamstrings. Cycling also is an exercise that can be maintained for longer periods of time than traditional workouts. This means you can keep exercising for longer, and maximize your fat-burning potential!
Improve Your Mental Health
Cycling and other forms of exercise have been proven to improve mental health and quality of life. Many studies and individuals claim that cycling improves depression. Clara Hughes, an Olympic medallist has stated multiple times that her passion for cycling has helped her in her battle with depression. Cycling has also been found to increase brain power and promote brain cell growth. For those struggling to break out of a slump, starting cycling can be a great lifestyle change!
Fight Your Cancer Risk
Many studies have shown that regular exercise such as cycling can lead to a decreased risk of cancer. A recent study at the University of Glasgow concluded that people who bicycle to work had a decreased risk of cancer by 45%. It also has been shown to cut your risk of heart disease nearly in half! Individuals who cycle also have a stronger immune system, and have overall higher health. Cycling and maintaining an active lifestyle is the key to preventing cancer and other diseases.
Improvement of Energy
Cycling is a fantastic calorie burner and yields great weight loss results! Cycling is an aerobic exercise, and it provides energy to the leg muscles, lungs, joints, and brain. It also is known to build your stamina! People who cycle often have higher stamina. Cycling regularly can cause you to feel an increase of energy in your daily life. If you’re looking to increase your energy and feel more positive, biking can provide a much-needed energy boost you can learn more…
Conclusion
Cycling has many health benefits. Incorporating riding a bike into your life can be a wonderful lifestyle change. Whether it’s changing up your morning commute or cycling around the park on weekends, it can be a great way to improve your life and feel better in your body. Cycling is undeniably the best way to improve your health. Between the physical and mental health benefits, it is more than worth hopping on your bike and improving your life!