Even though there are so many great activities that can motivate you to get moving and stay fit, we must say that cycling is at the top of our list for a good reason. It has so many incredible benefits you should definitely take advantage of. So, keep on reading and find out why cycling is so good for our health. Check out our list of top seven reasons and enjoy!
1. It can reduce your stress levels
The majority of outdoor activities have therapeutic effects, and that’s the case with cycling as well. And what does that mean? Well, it means that riding a bike can reduce your stress levels and help you feel better after one session only.
Besides that, you’ve probably heard that exercising produces endorphins, the so-called ‘happy hormones’. So, if you feel down and overwhelmed by your everyday worries, just hop on your bike and go cycling around the neighborhood. One thing is certain – you’ll instantly feel refreshed and relieved. This activity will help you forget about the sources of your stress, while helping you get fit at the same time. Does it get better than that? We don’t think so!
2. It burns fat and calories
If you’re looking for a way to lose some weight, cycling may be the perfect option for you! That’s right – this amazing activity will burn fat and calories, which is a fantastic benefit you shouldn’t overlook. Did you know that cycling at a steady pace can burn about 300 calories an hour? It means that cycling for an hour each day will burn around 10 kg of fat in a year! If that doesn’t sound phenomenal, we don’t know what does!
Aside from that, cycling will boost your metabolic rate as well. It means that your body will continue to burn calories even when you’re done with this activity. Just give it a try, and you’ll see what we were talking about!
3. It is gentle on your knees and joints
In case you didn’t know, cycling is a low-impact activity. This means that it won’t put your knees and joints under a lot of pressure, which is crucial if you have a certain type of injury or any other health-related issue.
This type of physical activity is also highly beneficial for people who are overweight. It’s because every kilogram of extra weight will put additional pressure on your knees and joints. So, if you want to improve your knee health and take proper care of your joints, opt for cycling as your primary physical activity. It’s the safest way for you to stay physically active without aggravating your condition. Go for it and you won’t regret it!
4. It is amazing for your lung health, too
As we live in the middle of the global pandemic, we need to find a way to improve our health and prevent ourselves from contracting the virus. As this particular virus attacks primarily our lungs, be sure to find an activity that strengthens your lungs in the first place.
Cycling is one of these activities. Even though it seems a bit contradictory, one study showed that people who ride a bike are exposed to fewer dangerous fumes than those who travel by car. Do we even have to mention the health benefits of cycling in areas with clean air, such as mountains and woods? Not really, so get the best mountain bike there is and go for a long ride. Your lungs will be more than thankful for such an improvement!
5. It builds your stamina
Similar to any other physical activity, cycling will build your stamina as well. The more often you ride your bike, the longer you’ll be able to cycle before you get tired. As simple as that! So, if there’s a certain sports event you’re getting ready for, make sure to start cycling to build your stamina.
This is quite useful if you want to lose some weight but you can’t opt for any other activity as you stay out of breath quickly. If that’s the case with you, get on your bicycle, take one step at a time, and you’ll see progress very soon. Apart from building stamina, this will also give you a sense of personal achievement. That’s essential for your self-confidence and self-image, too!
6. It can improve your mental well-being
Another great thing cycling can do is to improve your mental well-being. 2020 has been a very stressful year for the entire world, so people are finding ways to unwind and let go of their every day worries. As millions of people were forced to leave their workplaces and start working remotely, their mental health was negatively affected by all the circumstances brought by the Coronavirus pandemic.
So, if you constantly feel stressed out, you should probably start being physically active. Cycling is an amazing way to relax and focus on the present moment. This is particularly true if you have a lot of things on your mind at the moment. Just hop on your bike and go for a long ride in the forest. Nature has soothing and therapeutic effects, so give cycling a try and you’ll figure it out yourself!
7. It can help you build muscle
Last but certainly not least, cycling is one of the best activities when it comes to building muscle. Of course, we’re talking mainly about the lower body muscle all the cyclists are famous for. So, apart from burning fat, you’ll end up having perfectly carved up muscles as well! This is true especially for muscles around the glutes, quads, calves, and hamstrings.
By the way, did you know that people with a higher percentage of muscle can burn more calories – even when sedentary? That’s right, and it’s because muscle is naturally much leaner than fat. Just don’t be afraid that you’ll immediately look like those ultra-defined track sprinters. The more you cycle, the more toned your muscles will get!
As you can see, there are so many fantastic reasons why cycling is good for our health. Of course, these seven undoubtedly are the best ones out there, so be sure to check them out. Once you do that, you’ll realize that this activity has numerous health benefits that shouldn’t be overlooked. Just give it a fair shot and you’ll understand why millions of people worldwide love it so much. It’s a promise!
Absolutely! It will help strengthen our immune system by cycling. This one is particularly relevant during the global Covid-19 pandemic.