Cycling is a low-impact aerobic activity that makes us healthy and fit. We can incorporate cycling into our lives as a casual activity, as a competitive sport, or as a form of daily commute. The best part? It is easy to start cycling, and it is suitable for people at varying fitness levels.
Several guidelines suggest that we should include 75-300 minutes of aerobic activity per week, and cycling is the easiest way to do it. Moreover, with the advent of eBike rentals in Estero, FL, people can rent eBikes similar to conventional bicycles but easier to ride.
Health Benefits of Cycling
Improves Cardiovascular Health
According to a 2017 study, people that cycle to work experience considerable health benefits like a strengthened cardiovascular system. Moreover, 46% of the people riding bikes to work are less likely to develop cardiovascular disease, and they have a 52% less likelihood of dying from such conditions. The study also suggests that besides improving your cardiovascular system, cycling also reduces the risk of cancer.
Helps With Blood Pressure
Hypertension or high blood pressure can cause cardiovascular issues. According to some experts, activities like cycling are extremely beneficial in preventing unfavorable cardiovascular conditions.
According to a review, cycling for three months can reduce your blood pressure by 4.3%, and cycling for six months can reduce it by 11.8%. A 2017 study suggests that cycling is the best way to reduce blood pressure in people with type-2 diabetes.
Helps Manage Weight
A review conducted in 2019 suggests that cycling can considerably reduce body mass and body fat. Cycling increases metabolic rate, increases muscle mass, and burns body fat. Also, cycling is an adaptive exercise, which means you can change the intensity and the length of your exercise.
According to scientific evidence, cycling for an hour can help you burn approximately 300 calories, and if you increase the intensity, you can burn even more.
Makes Lungs Healthy
One of the health benefits of cycling is the improvement of cardiorespiratory health. According to a 2011 study, cycling for over 170 minutes a week can considerably improve lung health. Some other research on this topic suggests that cycling can improve your immune system in a way that makes you better equipped to fight respiratory conditions like the SARS-COV-2.
Moreover, cycling regularly improves lung function in people with unfavorable lung conditions. For example, individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can cycle as part of pulmonary rehabilitation.
Improves Mental Health
In a recent US sample with over a million people, workouts such as cycling were directly linked to improving mental health. A 2019 study highlights the link between the two. Moreover, cycling improves cognitive functions. Cycling can also help people with severe anxiety, depression, and stress.
Makes Us Fitter
There are several guidelines that emphasize the importance of aerobic workouts like cycling, running, swimming, and walking as a way to stay fit. Because cycling is an adaptive exercise, it helps keep us fit because we can adjust the intensity to suit our fitness needs.
According to a 2017 study, people that incorporate cycling into their everyday fitness regimen tend to be fitter than people that don’t cycle at all or prefer other physical activities. The study also shows that people that cycle to work tend to achieve their fitness goals faster than others.
Low Impact Workout
Unlike most gym workouts, cycling is a low-impact exercise, which makes it a safer option for senior individuals or people with damaged or weakened joints. This is part of the reason why orthopedic surgeons recommend cycling indoors and on leveled surfaces after hip surgeries and knee arthroplasties.
The low-impact nature of this workout accommodates people with various injuries and health conditions while allowing them to stay active.
Improves Coordination and Balance
Cycling tends to stimulate the motor regions within the central nervous system while activating the cerebral cortex that improves balance and motor learning. This is why cycling is recommended by health experts as part of an effective rehabilitation program for individuals with walking issues and balance problems. It also improves core stability, which contributes to injury prevention.
Helps Prevent Type-2 Diabetes
Cases of Type-2 diabetes are popping up frequently, which is indeed a public health concern. Besides eating a balanced diet and taking medications, workouts like cycling play a key role in preventing type-2 diabetes.
One of the primary reasons for type-2 diabetes is a lack of physical activity. A large-scale research conducted in Finland found that people that cycle for half an hour every day have 40% less likelihood of developing this condition.
Benefits of Hand Cycling
Hand cycles resemble recumbent cycles, but they are powered by the hands rather than the feet. The hands are fastened to the pedals using velcro straps. Hand cycling is a therapeutic and recreational exercise for amputees, people with spine problems, and those that have experienced a stroke. The aerobic and cardiovascular benefits of hand cycles are similar to those of tricycles.
Final Word
What’s amazing about cycling is that it is a low investment and simple workout. Moreover, you can do it anywhere and at any time. Also, you can adjust the level of intensity based on your fitness level. With eBikes, it has become even easier.
You can get all the aerobic benefits of a regular bike without pedaling as hard. At SWFL, we offer a wide range of used and brand-new eBikes. To check out our inventory, feel free to visit our website or call (239) 356-1806, and if you want more information on eBikes, you can head over to our blog.