How good for you is cycling really?
The benefits of cycling to the mind, body and environment are endless so we've put together a bite sized shortlist showing the positive effects that cycling can have on your life.
- You'll look younger
It's true! The effect of riding up that hill to work increases your circulation and delivers nutrients and oxygen to skin cells. It also acts as a detox to the cells and flushes away harmful toxins. Leaving you with rejuvenated, plumper skin.
- You'll feel lighter
It obviously depends on the intensity of your ride but to give you an idea; if you go on a 30 minute ride and reach your destination out of breath and a little sweaty then you've burnt off approximately 350 calories. Your average daily ride is unlikely to build loads of muscle tissue, instead it's likely that your thighs, bum and waist will all slim down and tone up.
- You'll have better joints
Patients in the UK who are suffering from joint related problems are regularly prescribed cycling 4 times a week as a way to head off the onset of arthritis and the need for hip replacements. Hip hip horray (sorry)
- You'll have less sick days
This counts for all moderate exercise but a 20 minute cycle ride (try and get a hill or two if you feel up to it) makes immune cells more active so they’re primed to act fast when an infection does come along.
- You'll feel sexier
Physical activity = improved vascular health which has the happy knock on effect of improving your sex drive.
"Studies in the US concluded that male athletes have the sexual prowess of men two to five years younger, with physically fit females delaying the menopause by a similar amount of time".*
"Meanwhile, research carried out at Harvard University found that men aged over 50 who cycle for at least three hours a week have a 30 percent lower risk of impotence than those who do little exercise".
* http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/article/30-reasons-to-take-up-cycling-23965/
- You'll have a peachy bum
Whether it's the gluteus maximus, minimus or medius, they are all activated while cycling.
The gluteus maximus, the largest butt muscle you have, helps to extend the hip as you pedal. As a contributing muscle, the gluteus maximus gets quite the workout when you cycle while the other two are involved in lateral movement.
So while the gluteus maximus provides the bulk of the power, the two smaller muscles provide stability. An excellent all round workout for your bum.