5 ways cycling can improve your health
Needless to say, here at Auxtail we LOVE cycling and consider it a part of our everyday lives. However, not only is it a great past time and an amazing way to travel, it also has a number of proven ways it can help you with your health and general wellbeing. You don’t have to take our word for it either, the NHS has a page all of their own on the benefits of cycling: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/cycling-health-benefits/
Cycling helps you lose weight.
So… You want to lose weight? Well, cycling is absolutely perfect for that. You can burn up to a whopping 1000 calories per hour. Bear in mind to be burning these sorts of calories, you’ll need to be pushing some pedal.
Combined with a healthy diet and making sure you replace some of those calories with healthy options*, you can really see the weight come off.
*Not cake, like us.
Cycling can help you with your mental wellbeing.
A recent study carried out by the YMCA saw that people who lead active lifestyles had a 32% higher well being score than their less active counterparts.
This is something we can personally attest to. If you exercise regularly you do feel generally happier, stress levels are lower and life seems significantly better.
Of course there Is some science behind this: Endorphins! It’s a proven fact that any form of physical activity will release these ‘feel good’ chemicals into your system. In our opinion, cycling is the best way to do it though!
Cycling is cardiovascular
Cycling is an aerobic activity… This means you are working not only your muscles, but your heart, lungs and blood vessels too.
This can (If you stick with it) reduce your blood pressure and your resting heart rate.
Another point which we’ll pop in here is that cycling is a non-impact sport which is great for your joints!
Cycling helps increase energy levels
It’s fair to say doing any form of physical exercise will also help contribute, but it is a major factor.
It’s strange that over Christmas you can feel terrible… All you’re doing is resting and yet you seem to feel more tired than usual.
On the flip side, the more you use your body, the more ‘ready for action’ it is. If you cycle regularly you will see an improvement in your energy levels.
Perfect family time
This last one is a little anecdotal and there’s no hard core facts behind it. However from personal experience we’d have to say that cycling is one of the few past times that everyone, of every age seems to enjoy.
If you’re all out as a family, having a great time, getting fitter and healthier, well, what’s better than that?
