Health Benefits of Cycling

David here from Bike Trainer World shared with Healthy Lombard that someone said, “you can’t be sad while riding a bicycle.”

This statement is actually backed by science as you will find out later in the article.

For many individuals, cycling is a casual activity or a means of transport. However, cycling is also profoundly beneficial to your mind, body, and soul.

So, how exactly does cycling help?

Cycling and Weight Loss

Losing weight is not fun for most people. Depending on how much you aspire to lose, you may have to go on a strict diet and take on intense physical exercises. But what if there was a better way of doing it? Bike riding is an effective and fun weight loss strategy.

Cycling for one hour at a moderate speed burns 400 to 600 calories. The exact number of calories depends on a few factors such as your weight and gender. You can always increase the number by doing intense and mixed exercises.

Overweight people are not the only ones that can benefit from this.

If you are comfortable with your weight (and your doctor agrees) you need to keep things the same. Cycling will make you sweat a little every day and help you maintain your lean frame.

Obesity is increasingly becoming a menace in the United States and all over the world. It has been linked to the rising cases of type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, coronary diseases, and other chronic conditions.

Finding the time to exercise may sound like a fantasy. But, if you opt for cycling, you will always find a way. You have a wide range of options. You can cycle to work when life gets too busy or cycle indoors on a stationary bike when the weather is unfriendly.

Cycling and Aging

Most people want to live long but nobody wants to look old or feel old.

While living a long life is good, the human body undergoes some changes that are not quite pleasant. The immune system becomes weaker, muscle strength and mass depreciate and inflammation occurs.

A number of studies have been conducted to determine whether physical activity contributes to successful aging. That is, aging without the many problems that typically come with it.

It is important to note that cycling will not make you look 16 when you are 90. Honestly, there is not much you can do to make that happen. However, if you incorporate cycling into your lifestyle, you will be one of the few lucky people that age like fine wine. You will be healthier—even better, you will look and feel healthy.

According to this study, cycling as a physical activity enhances the immune system. As you get older, your T-cells (which are immune cells) start to depreciate. This process begins as early as in your twenties. The research showed that older cyclists had higher levels of T cells (and a stronger immune system) compared to those who did not exercise.

This other study conducted in Sydney, Australia showed that physically active adults (49+ years of age) had twice the likelihood of aging successfully. The healthiest subjects engaged in activities that were equal to cycling moderately for one and a half hours per day, seven days a week. Their risk of suffering disability, heart diseases, cancer, respiratory issues, and depression was cut by half.

How motivated are you to get on that saddle now?

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