9 Reasons To Take Up Cycling

In the world full of ready meals and easy access to almost everything we need, it isn't always easy to get active and stay fit. After a busy day, we may feel too exhausted to exercise or simply struggle to make time for it. But it doesn't have to be hard, cycling is the simplest answer.
Cycling is a truly invigorating and fun activity which has many benefits. 
Admittedly, I'm biased, but there are so many advantages to cycling that I cannot praise it enough.
Not convinced? Here are only a few of the long list of benefits of cycling.

9 reasons to start cycling

1. Cycling improves cardiovascular fitness.

Our heart is one of the most important organs in our body and regular cycling helps to keep it in good shape. According to the Purdue University in Indiana, US  cycling 20 minutes a day can reduce the risk of heart disease by an 50%. The research supported by the British Heart Foundation also concluded that commuting on a bicycle was associated with: 

• 52% lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease and
• 40% lower risk of dying from cancer.

Over the winter months, I took a break from cycling to work. To test the impact of cycling on my personal cardio fitness, I have started wearing an HR monitor which I got for Christmas. Within only 3 months, my cardio fitness improved from fair to good!

2.  Cycling builds muscles.

Cycling is a whole body workout, not just for the legs. The resistance element helps build and strengthen lean muscles particularly in the glutes, hamstrings, quads, and calves. It is a great way to tone and shape up your entire body.

3. Cycling is is a low-impact exercise.

Unlike running, where the whole body weight is born by the legs, cycling is not weight bearing, which means it a perfect activity for people of all ages. It increases the hear rate without straining the joints which is especially important for people who wish to loose some extra weight. This leads me to the next point:

4. Cycling helps lose weight.

No surprises here, if we exercise and eat reasonably well, we are bound to lose wight. I'm not saying we can feast on junk food just because we spent 20 minutes on a bike. However, according to Harvard Medical School, 30 minutes of moderate cycling can burn 210-310 calories. So if we continue to eat well and add cycling to it, we should shed a few extra pounds.

5. Cycling keeps your lungs healthier.

According to a study by a Healthy Air Campaign:

"Those who travel by car can experience five times higher pollution levels than those who cycle, and three and a half times more than those walking,"

So why not jump on a bike and breath in more freely?

6.  Cycling saves money, time and our planet

Who would not like to keep their money in their pocket? Apart from the obvious health benefits, cycling keeps our finances healthy too.

• You can skip the costly gym membership and spend the money elsewhere as cycling can be your daily workout. 
• Ditching a car for a bike can save us a fortune on petrol, insurance and car maintenance. 
• Being powered purely by our muscles, bicycles are eco-friendly as they do not cause any pollution. And on short distances, cycling is faster than public transport because there are no cycling traffic jams, so it saves our time too. 

Three wins right here!

7. Cycling reduces stress.

In our fast-paced world, there are a number of things that stress us out. Being stuck in traffic jam or waiting for a bus on our way to work are just two out of many. Cycling allows us to take out any frustrations on the road instead of people around us (which could lead to more conflict and stress). And there is an abundance of research confirming that regular exercise reduces stress levels. 

“If exercise were a pill, it would be one of the most cost-effective drugs ever invented,” Dr Nick Cavill, a health promotion consultant.

8. Cycling expands your social circles

The social side of cycling is of great importance. A lot of people imagine cycling as a lone sport, but it is quite the opposite. There are numerous clubs you could join and enjoy a club run (usually on Saturdays and Sundays). They provide a great opportunity to cycle, make new friends, get advice on training and maintenance of your bike and just general chat. The clubs accommodate riders of all abilities so I doesn't matter if your fit or not, have been riding for years or only just starting. There is always a group for you.

9. Cycling enriches family time

Cycling is an activity that the whole family can do together. It is a healthy and fun way to spend a weekend. Riding in the park together, you are not only getting the fresh air but also exercising, which is good for your body and spirit. This type of bonding creates lasting memories and gives your children and loved ones a great example how to stay active and fit. And who knows, you may be inspiring the next Peter Sagan or Anna van der Breggen?

Although cycling, especially in a big city, may seem daunting, it is a great way to keep you body, mind and pocket healthy:) And you don't have to spend a lot of money on a bicycle to get stated. I bought my first bike used at £50. After just two weeks of cycling to work, I saved more on commuting than I paid for the bike.
Give cycling a go!

And tell me, did I convince you to take on cycling?



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