It’s a thought we’ve all had. We’re browsing Facebook or watching the morning news and we see something about it being “Ride Your Bike to Work” day, or we see a story about a guy who bikes everywhere. Then we think, “I should get a bike.” Or, if you’re like me, you think, “I should get my bike out of storage.” But, for whatever reason, we don’t go cycling as much as we’d like. Well, hopefully this will motivate you to air up those tires and strap on a helmet, because there are numerous health benefits of cycling.
It works everything. The first thing that leaps to mind when people think of cycling is the cardio aspect. While it is certainly a great cardio workout, cycling engages the entire body. Obviously, your legs also get a great workout, especially when you’re trying to muscle up a hill. Your arms and shoulders also get engaged, as you lean forward and support your weight on the handlebars. You also work your core as you lean into turns and maintain balance. Cycling is a total-body workout.
You can keep going for longer. Most of us cringe at the thought of running for an hour. It would be hard on our joints and we would end up a sweaty mess. However, on a bike, our joints are protected, we can coast when we’re a bit winded, and we can cover way more ground, which keeps it interesting. An hour-long bike-ride is way more beneficial than going for a run and hitting the wall after 20 minutes.
It gets you outside. Chances are, you could use a little Vitamin D in the form of sunlight. Between our homes, cars, and offices, we rarely get a chance to be outside to catch some rays. Sunlight helps us feel better, energizes us, and contributes to our well- being. And being on bike, with the wind rushing by, ensures we won’t get too hot in that healthy sunlight!
It helps you be in the moment. Picture it: You’re biking through the park in the mid-morning. You hear the soft hum of the tires on the pavement, the whoosh of the breeze in your ear. You lean softly to pass by others. You feel the sun on your face and a slightly quickened pulse. You are totally in the moment, thinking only about your surroundings and not your outside responsibilities. Cycling can be thoroughly meditative, and we could all use a quiet moment here and there.
It’s fun. We all get a little charge when we successfully dodge around a fallen limb or execute a perfect bunny hop off of a curb. The bike is an extension of ourselves and we can pilot it flawlessly. This sense of fun and accomplishment releases chemicals in our brain that make us feel happy, confident, and satisfied. We are propelling ourselves through the world and can take on any challenge. Carry that with you the rest of the day, for you are a cyclist.
