Get Serious About Cycling: How Biking Can Benefit Your Life


If you're looking for a form of exercise that's accessible, suitable for most people and fitness levels and is fun to do- look no further than cycling. Whether you're a complete beginner or already a gym buff, incorporating cycling into your workout can improve your heath- but there are other benefits too. Here are some of the reasons you need to hop on your bike!

Health
Biking is a fantastic form of exercise for all abilities. In fact, if you're very unfit and are starting from scratch when it comes to working out it's the ideal choice. You could start on an exercise bike (either at home or at the gym) start on the lowest resistance and work your way up. As you get fitter, extend first the time you spend cycling and then the level of resistance, until you can comfortably cycle for thirty to sixty minutes. From there you could invest in a bicycle and get out on it, you can find all kinds of road bikes for sale, or you could go with a mountain bike or even a BMX! Being out on your bike will naturally give you different types of terrain and gradients so you will be working at all kinds of resistance. Biking is particularly good for your legs and glutes, building lean muscle which sculpts and tones them. It strengthens the knees and knee joints, and works out the cardiovascular system (heart and lungs) improving fitness, endurance and overall health. It burns calories so that it's easier to maintain a healthy weight, and on a lesser level can help to tone the arms, stomach and back too.

Environment
We all know we need to be doing more to reduce pollution and help the environment. But as well as making changes in the home, one of the single biggest things we can do is cut down on car usage. Sometimes using the car is unavoidable, but for anything within a few miles radius you could hop on your bike and cycle instead. Whether it's to run a few errands in town, visit friends or family or even get to and from work if you're not too far away- it all adds up. If everyone was committed to making these changes, can you imagine the difference we could make? At the very least, you'll know you're doing your bit and with excellent health benefits too it just makes good sense.

Well Being
Any exercise can promote better mental health, when you're biking and getting the blood pumping this causes a release of endorphins which will make you feel happier. If you're using a bike and getting outdoors, some fresh air and seeing the sites can do wonderful things for well being. Even if you're cycling at a gym, setting yourself fitness goals and then going out to achieve them will make you feel great. When you know you're doing your bit to reduce your carbon footprint too and help the environment, it's also something that can make you feel happier and more positive.