Cycling is a popular recreational activity and it’s also one of the most popular forms of transportation, In fact, about 12.4% of Americans cycle on a regular basis, and that number is on the rise. One of the reasons why cycling is so popular it not only helps you get from Point A to Point B, but it also helps you improve your health and wellbeing at the same time. Here are four awesome ways cycling can help you improve your health whether you’re riding a mountain bike or a fixed-gear bike.
- Cycling gets your heart pumping. Cycling is a great cardiovascular workout because it’s an aerobic activity that boosts the strength of your heart and the health of your blood vessels and brain. Cycling also makes your brain release endorphins, which are the body’s feel-good chemicals. It’s no wonder, then, why cycling is so fun!
- Cycling is a low-impact exercise. It can be challenging to get cardio in when your knees aren’t in the best shape for high-impact sports. Cycling makes it easier for anyone of any age to get in cardio exercise without putting additional stress on the joints. Unlike walking, which puts all of your weight on your legs, sitting on a bike puts your weight on your pelvis so you can pedal without worrying about joint stiffness or pain.
- Cycling helps to build and maintain muscle. Cycling isn’t just good for the heart and joints. It’s also a great way to build muscle and maintain that muscle. When you’re pedaling, you’re using your glutes, thighs, and calves to keep the bike going. You also use your hamstrings at the back of your thighs and the flexor muscles in your hips when your legs circle back during the up-stroke of the pedal. To keep yourself upright on the bike, you’re using your abdominal muscles, too, while using your arm and shoulder muscles to steer.
- Cycling builds up bone density. Building bone density is crucial because it can have a big impact on your body as you age. Cycling can help to build bone density because it’s a resistance activity. Even when you’re pedaling easily on a cruiser bike, the regular push and pull of your muscles causes your muscles to gently pull on your bones, increasing your bone density. This might sound strange, but because bone is a living tissue, it can adapt and build up more bone to become denser over time in response to forces placed on it.
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