Cycling can be more than a fun childhood pastime or an eco-friendly way to run errands. There are tons of benefits of cycling that may just inspire you to add it to your workout routine.
Cycling is a really versatile form of exercise that can be scaled to different fitness levels, lifestyles, and goals. You can, for example, cycle indoors on a stationary bike, either in a group class or solo in your own home. Or you can pedal outside on a moving bike. You can go all-out for an intense Tabata session, or you can pull back, pedal easy, and let the great outdoors take over as the star of the show.
However you choose to ride, know that you’ll be doing your body—and your mind—some serious good. Here are five of such benefits following several analyses from online casino experts.
- Cardiovascular health
Many researchers note that cycling can help improve heart health. For example, one 2017 studyTrusted Source suggests that people who cycle to work experience notable health benefits, including improved cardiovascular functioning. In addition to a 46% lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease, commuters who cycle to work also have a 52% lower risk of dying from the condition. The results of the study also indicate that as well as improving heart health, cycling to work may reduce the risk of developing cancer.
- Blood pressure
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in some people. Some experts suggest that physical activity such as cycling could be the primary therapyTrusted Source to prevent these conditions. Cycling may also help reduce blood pressure over a period of time. The review above notes that after 3 months, blood pressure may reduce by 4.3%, and that after 6 months, it may reduce by 11.8%. A 2017 studyTrusted Source adds that cycling is an effective method to lower blood pressure in people with type 2 diabetes.
- Weight management
A 2019 systematic reviewTrusted Source indicates that cycling is a useful exercise to help reduce body fat and body mass. If a person wishes to lose weight, having a good diet and getting adequate exercise are both vital. Cycling can help a person manage their weight because it increases the metabolic rate, builds muscle, and burns body fat. It is also adaptive, meaning that a person can change the length and intensity of exercise to suit them. Evidence suggests that based on a person’s body type, they can burn up to 300 calories per hour with moderate cycling. If a person increases the intensity, they can burn even more calories in less time while playing games at best online casino sites at the same time.
- Lung health
Cycling can also help improve cardiorespiratory health. An older study, from 2011, notes that cycling for about 170–250 minutes per week can greatly improve lung health. One articleTrusted Source emphasizes that exercise such as cycling is important to keep the lungs healthy for both people with and without a lung condition. Other researchTrusted Source also notes that physical activity can help the immune system protect a person from respiratory infections such as SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19.
Regular cycling can also help promoteTrusted Source lung function in those with a lung condition. For example, people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may incorporate cycling as part of their pulmonary rehabilitation programTrusted Source.
- Mental health
In a sample of more than a million peopleTrusted Source in the U.S., exercise such as cycling was linked to improved mental health. A 2019 studyTrusted Source also highlights a link between the two, as well as improvements in some cognitive functions. In addition to improving cognitive function, regular exercise may help reduceTrusted Source anxiety and depression.