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Cycling is an activity with surprising health benefits, both physically and mentally. Whether you want to tone your muscles, increase your flexibility, live longer or simply improve your mood, it’s time to discover the benefits of a daily bike ride.
Improves Mood
Runner’s high isn’t just for runners. Any form of exercise, including cycling, can make you feel good through the release of stimulant hormones like dopamine. After a good ride, that dopamine rush can improve your mood and boost your energy levels. If you often feel an afternoon slump, a quick bike ride during your lunch break could be just what you need.
Lose Weight Without Extreme Diets
Cycling is one of the most effective ways to lose weight by toning your entire body. An hour of cycling can burn up to 1,000 calories, depending on the intensity of the effort. After a long ride, you can even indulge in a guilt-free treat, as your revved-up metabolism burns calories faster than they are absorbed.
By cycling to the office instead of driving, you could lose an average of 7 kg per year, with just a 30-minute commute per day.
Improves Heart Health
Cycling elevates the heart rate and strengthens the heart muscles, reducing the risk of developing several cardiovascular diseases, such as stroke, high blood pressure, and heart attack. Incorporating cycling into your daily routine can even have an impact comparable to that of some blood pressure medications.
Relieves Anxiety and Stress
Cycling balances cortisol and adrenaline levels in the body, reducing stress when this balance is achieved. It is a healthy way to reduce anxiety, as this calming activity allows the brain to focus on breathing and pedaling, thus taking the attention away from any negativity and anxiety.
Slows Aging
Research shows that intense cycling and other high-intensity interval training have anti-aging benefits down to the cellular level. They increase the capacity of mitochondria, promoting cellular rejuvenation.
Strengthens Muscles
Cycling doesn’t just improve your leg muscles; it’s a form of exercise for the entire body. By maintaining balance on the bike, you tone the muscles in your abdominal area. The steering of the handlebars helps develop the muscles in your arms and shoulders. The leg muscles also play a key role, including the glutes, calves and quads, among others.
Increases Flexibility
Cycling helps maintain flexibility, easing tightness in the quads, hamstrings, and calves, reducing the risk of injury. All that flexibility also improves your posture and balance.
Boosts Self-Confidence
Cycling increases self-confidence by stimulating the production of serotonin, a mood neurotransmitter. This helps you stay optimistic and confident, both physically and emotionally. Plus, getting your body closer to its ideal shape boosts self-esteem.
Gentle on the joints
Cycling distributes the weight on the pelvic bones, unlike walking or running where the weight rests on the legs, knees and feet. Even in older people suffering from knee pain or osteoarthritis, cycling has proven its benefits. It is a gentle but effective activity for the body.
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