TOP 5 BENEFITS OF CYCLING
Cycling helps to improve your balance while being good for the muscles and heart. This article talks about the top 5 benefits of cycling every day:
• It is great for the joints: Cycling is easy on your joints. When you sit on a bike your weight is on the pelvis. If you have any joint-related pain or stiffness, then cycling is one of the best options for you.
• Is a great aerobic workout: When you push the pedals of a cycle, it works as a great aerobic workout which is good for your blood vessels, brain and heart. When you perform an aerobic exercise, it triggers the release of endorphins which makes you feel great as they are the body’s feel-good chemicals.
• It helps to build muscle: While pedalling in the downward motion you use the soleus and gastrocnemius muscle in the calves, quadriceps muscle in the thighs and gluteus muscles in the buttocks. While pedalling in the over-stroke, upstroke and backstroke motion, you use the flexor muscles in the front of the hips and hamstrings in the back of the thighs. You also use the arm & shoulder muscles to hold the steer and handlebars along with the abdominal muscles to stay upright and balance on a bike. It helps to work and build these specific muscles.
• It helps to build bone: Cycling helps to increase the bone density as it is a resistance activity which involves pulling on the muscles, pushing the pedals and muscles pulling on the bone.
• Cycling helps to benefit everyday activities: Cycling every day helps to benefit activities like stair climbing, standing, walking, balance and endurance.
Please note: Don’t ride a bike if you have arthritis, osteoporosis, any heart disease or thinning bones, also always wear a helmet. Keep yourself well hydrated during all times – before, during and after the ride. Always use sunglasses and sunscreen.
Reference
The top 5 benefits of cycling. (2016). Harvard Health Letter. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-top-5-benefits-of-cycling
I took up road biking when I retired to Florida 6 years ago. I bought myself a nice, mid-priced Bianchi road bike. My goal has been 100 miles a week and I have hit that a majority of the time. However, my times have not drastically changed. Just in the past month, I have been averaging 15-15.5 mph. This has been disappointing to me, as I haven’t seen much improvement. I ride alone most of the time, so I suspect that may be holding me back. I’m told that riding with stronger riders would push me harder.