The sport of cycling is one of the most popular and fastest-growing sports PMPin the world. Riding a bike can be great exercise, but it can also be dangerous if you don’t take the proper precautions. Cycling is a great way to get in shape, but it requires a high fitness level.
Cycling requires good cardiovascular endurance, strength training, flexibility, and balance exercises to prevent injuries when riding long distances or racing against other cyclists. This can only be achieved if the cyclist is fit.
Below are eight essential fitness tips for cyclists.
1. Take it slow
The first step towards becoming a better bicyclist is becoming a better athlete. And the best way to become an athlete is by gradually increasing your cardiovascular fitness. This is achieved by taking it slow, one after the other.
2. Build endurance
To build endurance, you need to do cardio three times weekly for at least 20 minutes per session.
Start with short rides, like 5 minutes on the road or 10 minutes on a stationary bike at an easy pace, then gradually increase the length of your workouts until you’re doing 30 minutes of cardio three times per week.
Try adding hills or stoplights into your rides as well — these will help improve your strength and weight loss efforts and increase your overall cycling ability!
3. Increase strength training
After building some endurance and stamina with cardio workouts, it’s time to start building strength and muscle mass through weight-lifting exercises like squats and bicep curls using dumbbells or resistance.
As a cyclist, you need strength to stay fit, so increasing your strength training increases your fitness level.
4. Warm up before you ride
Warming up before a ride helps prevent injuries by preparing your muscles for activity and increasing blood flow to the muscles.
A good warm-up routine includes stretching, jogging in place, and pedaling slowly while sitting down on the bike seat. Warming up awakens your body’s muscles and prepares them for cycling.
5. Get a comfortable bike and helmet
Your bike should be comfortable, so you can ride longer without getting sore or fatigued.
You should be able to easily adjust the seat and handlebars to accommodate your height and riding style.
Your helmet should fit snugly, but make sure it doesn’t squeeze your face or head. If it does, try another size until you find one that fits perfectly.
6. Wear clothes that breathe well
Cycling can make you sweat, so wear clothes that breathe well and don’t stick to you when they get wet.
Some cyclists wear tight-fitting jerseys and shorts made from synthetic fabrics like nylon or Lycra, but these materials don’t always breathe as well as cotton.
If possible, try wearing some of each type before deciding which ones are best for you.
7. Practice good posture
Proper posture makes cycling easier on your body because it puts less stress on your joints while riding at higher speeds or climbing hills than slouching would do. Your head should be upright and your shoulder well straightened out. Poor posture can affect your posture when cycling.
8. Lunges and planks
Lunges and planks are two excellent exercises that can help cyclists improve their fitness and stay in shape.
Lunges are great for cyclists because they target the muscles in the lower body, including the hips, quads, and glutes. They also help to improve balance and stability, which are essential for cycling.
Planks are equally a great workout for cyclists, as they target the core muscles. The core muscles are responsible for stabilizing the body while cycling, which can help to reduce the risk of injury and improve overall performance.
Conclusion
In addition to the fitness tips for cyclists, you must learn how to shift gears properly. Changing gears while riding will improve your pedaling efficiency and make hills easier to climb (or at least less difficult). Most bikes have multiple gears on the rear wheel that are shifted with the pedals; if this isn’t working for you, ask someone at your local bike shop for help or check out instructions online.
Always ensure your bike is in good shape and condition before stepping out.
