You probably know that cycling is good for your health. After all, any exercise is better than no exercise. However, did you know that riding bikes has many advantages for your physical health? Here are some benefits of biking:

Good for Your Heart

According to studies, people who cycle on a daily basis are 31 percent less likely to suffer from high blood pressure. Moreover, when you cycle twenty miles a week, you will cut your risk of developing heart disease in half. This is mostly because cycling works your heart and improves your metabolism.

However, you need to pedal at the right intensity to get the best results. For a newcomer, it would not be prudent to cycle at full speed. You need to start at slow speeds then increase your speed gradually to improve your overall heart health. Make sure that you know how to choose the right duration and intensity when cycling.

Reduces Stress

Cycling involves a repetitive pedaling action that puts you in a meditative state, which makes it a great activity for stress relief. Riding a bicycle also boosts the oxygen and blood flow to the brain thus regenerating receptors at a faster rate. According to researchers, even the smallest improvement in your fitness activities can reduce your stress levels.

If you have trouble falling sleep, you need to cycle for at least 20 minutes every other day to get rid of insomnia. You might end up cutting the time it takes for you to fall asleep by half. If you want to cycle in areas with rough terrain, you should look for the best hybrid bike. Such bikes are much easier to handle on rough terrain.

Aids Weight Loss

Losing pounds to reach your target weight mostly depends on creating a deficit in calories. If you start cycling today at a slow pace, you can burn up to 250 calories per hour, leading to weight loss. In a week, you will burn a bit more than half a pound of fat.

If you do not like going to the gym, cycling is the best way to improve your fitness while burning calories. However, cycling will not just help you to lose weight; it will also keep you physically active. Even if you find the activity a bit strenuous in the beginning, you will grow to enjoy it as time passes because it is fun.

Easy on Your Joints

Whenever you sit on a bike, you place weight on your pelvic bones. This means that biking is easier on your joints unlike running and walking, which place stress on your knees, ankles, and feet. Elderly cyclers who suffer from osteoarthritis have reported an improvement in their condition after riding bicycles.

Although cycling is gentle on your body, it still packs a punch exercise-wise. Moreover, cycling improves your overall coordination and posture. If you want to have a great experience with cycling, you should make sure that your bike seat is comfortable to avoid back problems. When done right, cycling will strengthen your knees without traumatizing the joint thus leading to greater stability and reducing the chances of injuries in future.

Makes You Happier

You probably know that exercise induces endorphins, which are hormones that make you feel happier by improving your mood. Did you also know that regular cycling could improve your ego? If you have been sedentary prior to cycling, your self-esteem could improve significantly after just ten rides.

Another study showed that cyclers are considered cooler and more intelligent by those who do not cycle. This means that your self-esteem will improve and people will think that you are a confident person. Cycling affords you the freedom to go anywhere that you would like while avoiding the stress of sitting in traffic for endless hours.

Conclusion

Are you thinking about cycling but are not sure how often you should do it per week? If you ride at the right intensity, no amount of cycling will be too much. In fact, you should think about leaving your car at home and cycling to work frequently. This will give you some cardio workout while strengthening your cardiovascular system to keep heart diseases at bay.

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