A guest column from Mark Taylor, Editor-in-Chief and Founder of British Bike Association
With so many of us in an unhealthy state right now because of lack of exercise and bad diet, cycling is an even more important way to keep fit and healthy. While going to the gym is another option, cycling has so many other benefits. If you are one of those people who do not have the patience to go to the gym and spend a long time running back and forth on a tread mill, then cycling may be the best alternative for you.
So what benefits can you get from biking? They are numerous. First, you will be able to stay healthy. When you are on your bike, all of your body parts move, allowing you to get an overall body workout. In effect, you will be able to lose weight, tone muscles, and strengthen your heart and respiratory functions. Aside from the health benefits, you will also get a lot of things on the side. Cycling can save you a lot of money. Rather than spending a lot of money on a gym membership that you will have to pay monthly, you will just have to spend once to buy a bicycle. In the long run, the cost of buying a bike will be cheaper compared to monthly gym membership fees. If you plan to take your bike to work, it will also help you save on the cost of buying fuel.
Being out on your bike daily also enables you to appreciate your surroundings and have fun. You can meet new friends and neighbors that engage in the same activity. In addition, you will also be able to appreciate the beauty of nature which you have probably neglected before because you did not have time to slow down and stay in touch with nature.
Cycling also helps you break away from routine. Spending 30 minutes on a treadmill everyday can start to get boring. Cycling enables you to visit new places or explore new surroundings while at the same time making sure that you get the daily dose of exercise that you need to stay healthy.
Being out on your bike daily also enables you to appreciate your surroundings and have fun. You can meet new friends and neighbors that engage in the same activity. In addition, you will also be able to appreciate the beauty of nature which you have probably neglected before because you did not have time to slow down and stay in touch with nature.
Cycling also helps you break away from routine. Spending 30 minutes on a treadmill everyday can start to get boring. Cycling enables you to visit new places or explore new surroundings while at the same time making sure that you get the daily dose of exercise that you need to stay healthy.
(photo left) BicyclingHub.com cycling clothing expert and London, U.K. native Kevin Langton can testify first-hand to the healthy benefits of riding after a long day's work.
It is also a very effective way to reduce stress. If you spend a very busy day at the office, you will surely need a way to relieve yourself from stress. Aside from drinking out or sleeping, cycling can help relieve you from stress. Looking at the things around you while cycling can help you realize that the world is such a beautiful place to live in and that even if you had a bad day at work, there are a lot of other things around you that make life beautiful.
More importantly, cycling is an effective way of staying healthy and having fun at the same time. It can help you lose unwanted pounds while simultaneously allow you to build new friendships and appreciate the beauty of nature. Cycling can help you escape gym time but still stay healthy at the same time.
5 comments:
No matter how reluctant I might be to leave the house some days, a few minutes into a bike ride I'm always glad I'm out there. Thanks for your post!
I'm so there! I got back on a bike on March 27th of this year after being off a bike for more than 20 years. Tomorrow I'll get in another ten miles and break the 1000 mile barrier.
Yup, you read that right. I've ridden 990 miles so far this year and I've been to parts of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana that I'd never have been to before if not for getting back on a bike.
I feel amazing. Like I'm decades younger. I bought a decent bike, in part as motivation to keep using it. To wring as much value out of it as possible out of it. To give me a goal of making it worth the expense instead of just renting one now and then. At over 90 hours of riding since March, the bike has MORE than paid for itself and then some.
I feel great!!! It's so worth getting a decent bike and investing in yourself. I've had a gym membership for years, and high blood pressure for just as long. My most recent checkup shows I've lost weight and my BP is down to 112/72.
Take it from, getting a bike is a WONDERFUL idea for so many reasons!
Biking makes me smile!
Very informative blog. I was searching for something like this. your blog helped me a lot. Thank you so much for sharing. speed cycle
Your post is so cool. I really love this. I Totally agree with you, Riding is an even more important way to keep fit and healthy mind and body. Find more more info like this post please visit our web.
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