Cycle Your Way to Better Health
Want to be healthy and happy? Cycling provides a low impact, overall body workout that is good for your heart
and your mind. Pedal your way to fitness and don’t forget to enjoy the ride!
If you love to ride, then you already know the physical, mental and emotional benefits that cycling
provides. Not to mention the pure enjoyment and adrenaline rush that comes from exercising in the great
outdoors. But cycling is more than just a great way to exercise. Cycling provides specific health benefits that
will help you stay active in all areas of life, and keep you fit inside and out for years to come.
You’ll build all over body strength and muscle tone. When you cycle, you use more than your legs
to power your bike. Your heart, lungs, and glutes benefit from the movement required to ride a bike, resulting in
increased mobility and a leaner, stronger physique.
You’ll burn more calories. Need to lose a few pounds? Riding a bike at a moderate pace can burn up
to 200-300 calories per hour.
“You can burn 600 or more calories per hour by increasing the intensity and riding at 18 to 20 miles per
hour,” said Dr. Bill Bryan, cyclist and orthopedic surgeon at Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine.
And even after you’ve parked your bike for the day, cycling helps boost your metabolic rate so you
continue to burn calories throughout the day.
“For maximum results, I would alternate high intensity rides with long rides,” added Bryan. “A two to
three hour ride will increase your basal metabolic rate for nearly 36 hours after your ride.”
You’ll improve your heart health. When you cycle, you’re using the largest muscle groups, helping to
raise your heart rate and increasing cardiovascular fitness. In fact, research has shown that cycling several
times a week can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease.
You’ll be happier. We all know regular exercise helps reduce stress and improve wellbeing, but
cycling takes the enjoyment to a whole new level. Pedaling along in the great outdoors allows you to connect
with nature and forget about everything else. So hop on your bike, take a deep breath and enjoy the scenery.
You’ll improve your stamina. Cycling is a great way to increase your overall stamina because it
requires you to use so many muscle groups. Stamina translates to other parts of your life, allowing you to go
farther and longer in all the activities you enjoy. But the best part about cycling is that it never feels like work
because you’re too busy enjoying the ride!
You’ll be more coordinated. Once you learn to ride a bike, you never forget. But beyond the initial
coordination you need for basic pedaling, cycling provides improved coordination among every part of your
body.