With the arrival of warmer weather you are more inclined to get outside, dust off your bike and take it for a ride. Did you know that cycling is one of the best exercises you can do for your body?
Taking a bike ride is a great cardiovascular exercise which helps keep your heart healthy and those heart attacks away! This form of exercise is great for helping prevent diabetes, high blood pressure, lung disease and cancer.
For anyone trying to lose weight biking is a wonderful activity. It is less strenuous on your joints and helps raise your metabolism. This puts your body into fat burning mode.
When you are out biking you are using lots of muscle groups just by pedaling. You will be targeting your legs, buttocks, back and stomach muscles. If you get into the habit of biking regularly you will strengthen and tone these muscles, sculpting them into a beautiful shape!
For anyone with a leg or knee injury biking is a good low impact exercise. It is also ideal for anyone just starting out with exercise. Many physiotherapists recommended biking for rehab patients.
Have you wondered why going for a bike ride makes you feel good? You get that good feeling because of hormones called endorphins being released by your body. This actually applies to all forms of exercise.
Biking is a good year round activity even if you live in a colder climate. You can actually purchase a stand to convert your outside bike to an indoor trainer. Or of course, you could purchase a stationary bike. This is a great alternative for those wet and windy days. Plus an indoor bike provides you with no excuses for not working out!
If you do decide to buy an indoor bike then look for one that offers various levels of resistance. This allows you to practice riding up and down different terrains and helps burn extra calories.
One type of indoor bike is a Spin Bike that works well to increase your cardiovascular endurance. These are the same type of bike found in most professional gyms. You can go as fast or as slow as you wish. It is possible to burn up to 500 calories per hour by spinning!
Remember the top reasons to get on your bike this summer are:
- Easy on your joints
- Targets all your large muscles groups
- Works on your stomach muscles
- Can be done as a family activity
- Can ride your bike anywhere
- Inexpensive
So why not get out and about this year and see some new places on your bike. Pack up your bike and drive to a local lake, park or biking trail and spend a wonderful day out.