Cycling is one of the best exercises to
participate in! It’s hold great benefits for both physical and
mental health and well-being, and also is a wonderful way to engage
socially with fellow cyclists.

Nothing beats a leisurely bike trail through
winding country roads on a beautiful Spring morning. Getting your
heart pumping, enjoying the fresh air and beautiful surroundings,
it’s a great time to just be in the moment. Especially when you’re
looking for some meditative time.

Cycling is definitely something to consider
doing, whether it’s as a fun hobby to do with the family or for
serious workout and health benefits. However, bikes are expensive and
they take up storage space, so make sure to do some homework
regarding proper storage and transportation options - Rackmaven
is a good place to start. If you’re looking for
scenic, bike friendly trail rides then you can take a look at
TrailLink!
Here you’ll find all you need to know for your next cycling
adventures.

As if you need any further convincing as to why
cycling is a great sport to get in to, take a look at 7 of the best
health benefits to be gained from regular cycling!

1. Cycling improves
   mental wellbeing
   

People take up cycling for a variety of
reasons. Be it to lose weight, build muscle or to improve general
fitness. Either way, physical goals aren’t the only benefits
cycling offers! It’s contribution to mental health and wellbeing
should definitely not be overlooked. A survey done by Cycleplan on
the health benefits experienced by regular cyclists, found that 75%
of the cyclists experienced a noticeable improvement in their mental
health, with 8% stating that it helped with their anxiety and
depression.

1. Promotes weight
   loss
   

Riding your bike is a great and fun way if you
would like to lose a few extra pounds! It’s also important to
remember to balance your meals together with the amount of exercise
you get in through cycling. The great thing about cycling is that you
don’t have to go hard at it in order to lose weight. A long (a
couple of hours at least), slow paced ride burns a lot of fat and
increases your endurance base! It’s a great workout for those that
like to exercise at a more leisurely pace, while also being able to
enjoy the scenery!

1. Better lung
   health and muscle endurance
   

Lung capacity and function increase through
regular cycling. Not only that, but the increased supply of oxygen to
your body and muscles will have further health benefits! Healthy lung
function is important as it is responsible for determining how well
your lungs distributes oxygen and removes carbon dioxide from your
bloodstream.

You can increase your lung capacity with
regular exercise such as cycling!

1. Low impact on
   joints
   

Because cycling is a low impact exercise, there
is less stress on your joints such as hips, knees, and feet. Another
added benefit is that the fluid moment created by cycling aids in
lubricating the joints which is a great help in reducing pain and
stiffness. This is a brilliant form of exercise for those who suffer
from arthritis, as cycling will loosen up stiff joints and reduce and
alleviate the accompanying swelling and joint pain. It can also aid
in slowing down bone and joint degeneration!

1. Helps to improve
   your immune system
   

Cycling has been proven to have a wide array of
remarkable health benefits. A 2017
study regarding the health benefits of active commuting,
such as cycling, has found that cycling was associated with a much
lower risk of Cardiovascular Disease and cancer, and helps to reduce
the risk of burden and death due to a variety of chronic conditions.

Another recent
study has found that long-distance cycling promotes
the healthy production of T-cells, which remains high even though the
cyclist ages. Physical activity also aids in flushing out bacteria
from your airways and lungs, reducing the chance of contracting colds
and flues. It also aids in preventing bacteria from growing due to
the rise in body temperature from vigorous physical exercise.

1. Reduces stress
   and depression
   

Cardiovascular exercise is proven to be a
useful way of combating and reducing stress and anxiety. By
increasing the production of endorphins in the body, through regular
exercise, the happier and relaxed you will feel. Only a few hours a
week of cycling is enough to establish a steady flow of these
microscopic feel-good chemicals.

Not only does it help to reduce stress and
anxiety, but cycling is also a wonderful means to help relieve
tension and improve your mental and physical energy.

1. Helps to promote
   better sleeping habits
   

As counterintuitive as it seems, exercise such
as cycling is great for regulating sleep patterns and gaining more
energy! How? Elevating your heart rate during cycling it creates a
hike in your energy levels and increases oxygen-rich blood flow to
the body.

Regular cycling can have a wonderful effect on
the serotonin levels in the brain, helping to improve sleeping cycles
and it can also aid in reducing cortisol levels in the body, which is
a stress hormone.

With all these amazing benefits, there is no reason why you shouldn't be out on a blissful bicycle trail! Or pumping those oxygen rich blood through your veins. Get out and get cycling!

For more go to: http://www.ripethinking.co.uk