Cycling - The Right Choice for Exercise

When you're thinking of an exercise, the key is finding something you're really enjoy and that's easy to do. Cycling is about as ideal as it provides a low-impact workout.

Cycling is a healthy, that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from young children to older adults. It is fun, cheap and good for the environment.


It only takes 2 - 3 hours a week to achieve a general improvement to your health. A 30-minute ride will count towards your recommended weekly activity target.

Cycling is mainly an aerobic activity, which means that your heart, blood vessels and lungs all get a workout. You will breathe deeper, perspire and experience increased body temperature, which will improve your overall fitness level.

Cycling can improve both physical and mental health, and can reduce the chances of experiencing many health problems.

Cycling is a truly invigorating and liberating experience, enjoyed by people of all ages and from all walks of life.
The benefits of cycling are almost as endless as the country lanes you could soon be exploring.

There are a lot of good reasons choosing cycling as your newest activity.

Cycling improves mental well-being
There are so many ways that exercise can boost your mood: there’s the basic release of adrenalin and endorphins, and the improved confidence that comes from achieving new things.
Cycling combines physical exercise with being outdoors and exploring new views. You can ride solo – giving you time to process worries or concerns, or you can ride with a group which broadens your social circle.

Cycling promotes weight loss
The simple equation, when it comes to weight loss, is ‘calories out must exceed calories in’. So you need to burn more calories than you consume to lose weight.
Of course, there are other factors: the make-up of the calories you consume affects the frequency of your refuelling, as does the quality of your sleep and of course the amount of time you spend burning calories will be influenced by how much you enjoy your chosen activity.

Cycling builds muscle
The resistance element of cycling means that it doesn’t just burn fat: it also builds muscle – particularly around the glutes, hamstrings, quads, and calves. Muscle is leaner than fat, and people with a higher percentage of muscle burn more calories even when sedentary.

Cuts heart disease and cancer risk
Cycling raises your heart rate and gets the blood pumping round your body, and it burns calories, limiting the chance of your being overweight. As a result, it’s among a selection of forms of exercise recommended by the NHS as being healthy ways to cut your risk of developing major illnesses such as heart disease and cancer.

Cycling is low impact
Running is weight bearing – and therefore injury rates are higher. Cycling, by contrast to running, is not weight bearing.
The lack of weight bearing also means that cycling does not do as much to increase bone density as other sports – so it’s a good idea to add a little strength training in to your programme.

Cycling saves time
Short journeys contribute massively to global pollution levels, and often involve a fair amount of stationary staring at the bumper in front. Get on the bike, and you’ll save on petrol or cash on public transport, as well as time.

Improve your sex life

Most of us know that sex is a good thing, but not everyone knows that it’s actually good for your overall health. In fact, regular sex could indeed prolong your life.

Sleep better
It probably isn’t rocket science that tiring yourself out on the bike will improve your sleep – but now it’s been proven.

Boost your brain power
Exercise has been repeatedly linked to brain health – and the reduction of cognitive changes that can leave us vulnerable to dementia later in life.
Improved blood flow is good because the red stuff delivers all sorts of goodies that keep us healthy.

Strengthen your immune system
Mild exercise can improve our immune system by increasing production of essential proteins and waking up lazy white blood cells.

Grow your social circle

The easiest way to cycle regularly is to use your bike as a means of everyday transport.
Cycling is an incredibly sociable sport.  Several hours of riding at an intensity that enables easy chat.

Joining a cycling club or group is an excellent way to stay motivated and experience the great outdoors activities and grow your social circle.


Click here for more reading

Click below to play video