7 incredible health benefits of cycling regularly

Losing weight is an extremely subjective journey; some might feel comfortable following extreme diet plans like Atkins to lose weight quickly while others might prefer adhering to a balanced diet plan coupled with a regular exercise regime to reach their destined weight goal. If lifting weights in the gym or trying to perform the various yoga asanas isn’t your forte, you need to find an equally effective alternative to help you lose the extra pounds that have made themselves home in your body.

One of the most effective and enjoyable exercises —yes, exercising can be fun— is cycling.

The following benefits of cycling are enough to motivate you to start looking for the perfect bike, stationary or regular, and you can finally pedal your way to a stronger, healthier future:

Weight control and obesity
People gain weight due to poor eating habits, bad lifestyle choices, or their genetic predisposition. Usually, a slow metabolism is what causes weight gain as the body cannot burn fats at the required rate.

Reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases
Being overweight puts the person at risk of developing several diseases that can be fatal if left unchecked. Certain heart ailments like high blood pressure, heart attacks, and stroke can be smoothly averted if you choose a bike over spending a few extra minutes snoozing in the bed. Cycling on a regular basis helps in improving and stimulating your heart and lungs. It aids in regulating circulation, thereby, reducing the risk of impending cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, you can keep cardiovascular diseases at bay by regular cycling because it strengthens the heart muscles, reduces the blood fat levels, and lowers the resting pulse.

Improves mental well-being
The physical benefits of cycling are numerous, but it also does a commendable job in promoting mental health. Cycling releases endorphins and adrenaline that play a major role in boosting your mood and increasing your self-confidence. With regular cycling, you will soon start noticing prominent changes in your body and mind. Also, outdoor cycling is a great way to break the monotony of the gym and riding in the midst of nature has a defined therapeutic effect.

Improves bowel function
Studies have revealed that engaging in any physical activity reduces the time taken by the food to move through the large intestines, thereby, limiting the amount of water that is absorbed back into the body, which makes the stool softer and promotes easier bowel movement. Cycling does exactly this. By regular cycling, you can soon notice an improvement your bowel function.

Reduces the risk of cancer
Researchers have analyzed the relationship between exercise and cancer and have concluded that regular cycling reduces the risk of developing colon, breast, and bowel cancer in the future.

Faster recovery
It has been observed that patients diagnosed with knee pain and osteoarthritis showed marked improvement in their condition after a regular cycling routine was introduced in their exercise regime. Even the elderly patients have benefitted from adding cycling to their physical therapy; in fact, pedaling for few minutes a day is quite effective in getting rid of the joint pain that elderly patients often suffer from.

Sleep better
If you experience trouble sleeping, cycling is the keep to a good night’s sleep. Researchers have asserted that cycling on a regular basis improves the quality of sleep. In fact, certain observations have been made that people who suffer from insomnia took less than half the usual time to fall asleep after resorting to cycling as a form of exercise.

Cycling is a form of exercise that has immense physical, mental, social, and environmental benefits. So, grab a bike and start the journey to a healthier life.