Health Benefits Of Cycling

Cycling and Your Health

Everybody these days knows that exercising is good for your health. And cycling, as a low impact activity is ideal for this purpose.

As you get older, it gets harder to participate in high impact sports such as running or jogging, or most ball sports. The old body just doesn’t like it anymore, and injuries become common with longer and longer recovery times.

Now I’m no doctor, but from my own experience, cycling is by far the best form of exercise which can be continued, or even started, as you age.

So here is some of the health benefits of cycling that I have noticed.

Stress release.

If I have any stressful situations in my life, and believe me I’ve had plenty, I find that going for a cycle ride is hugely beneficial. Just the act of getting on the bike and riding lifts my spirits and gives me a more positive outlook. If I ride solo then I find this a great time to think things through. I’ve solved many problems while out riding.

General Fitness.

I ride several times every week winter and summer, so my level of fitness is pretty good, and I like it this way, this motivates me to keep on training. Regular exercise improves your quality of life regardless of age, improving energy levels, stamina and endurance and just making you feel better physically and mentally.

During the working week, I get up at 5.30am and ride with a group of friends (another benefit, meeting new people) for about 1.5 hours, finishing with a coffee at our favourite café. This is a fantastic way to start the day, by the time I get home and ready for work I am rearing to go, it just kick starts my day on a positive high.

If you find winter cycling impossible because of adverse conditions, then get an indoor home trainer, no excuses.

Muscle Strength/Tone

Regular cycling will obviously increase your leg muscle lean mass and helps strengthen the muscles as well, which is important as you age. It also makes your legs look good, which is no bad thing. I’ve certainly noticed my legs get more toned and defined over the years, this is helped by weight loss allowing muscle definition to be more noticeable.

Better Sleep.

Another side benefit of exercise in general is sleep improvement, falling asleep quicker and sleeping more soundly. I can say from my experience that I never have any problems getting to sleep.

These are just benefits that I’ve noticed, and doesn’t include widely documented benefits such as healthy heart, lower blood pressure, better immune system, improved digestion, reduced chances of diabetes to name but a few.

So what are you waiting for, grab a bike and get riding, your body will love you for it and you wont regret it.