Here at ROCKBROS, we’ve gradually been noticing an increase in the amount of people swapping four wheels for two, embracing the great outdoors, and taking up cycling. When you consider the many benefits of cycling there are to be enjoyed, it really isn’t that surprising.
Whether you’re the countryside, cycling through a National Park, or simply going for a quick bike ride to the shops for a loaf of bread, cycling is a great way to boost your fitness and your mental well-being in the process.
From seasoned cycling veterans to those just getting to grips with life behind the handlebars, cycling on a regular basis provides a huge selection of benefits, with very few drawbacks. Even then, those drawbacks are minor. Cycling is fun, affordable, and hugely beneficial.
Want to know just how beneficial? Then keep reading, as we highlight 5 key benefits of cycling regularly, along with a couple of drawbacks to be aware of.
Cycling is a Great Form of Cardiovascular Exercise
We all know that exercise is important from a health and fitness perspective, especially cardiovascular exercise, but do you know just how important it is?
Each year, more people die from heart disease than any other illness or disease. Looking after our hearts is crucial when it comes to our health, and longevity in general. This is one of the many reasons to take up cycling on a regular basis.
Cycling is a fantastic form of cardiovascular exercise. It helps to strengthen your heart, it increases blood flow and circulation, plus it may help to reduce blood pressure, thereby lowering your risk of other cardiovascular health issues.
Cycling Regularly May Promote Weight Loss
While you can’t ‘out-exercise a bad diet’ if you are following a healthy, calorie-controlled diet and leading a healthy lifestyle, regular cycling may help to promote weight loss and/or weight management.
As previously mentioned, one of the main benefits of cycling is the fact that it serves as a great form of cardio. Cardiovascular exercise is fantastic for weight loss as it helps to burn calories in a gradual, sustained manner.
The exact amount of calories you burn while cycling will depend on all kinds of different factors, such as how far you’re cycling, how hard you’re working, the conditions you’re cycling on, and more besides. What is guaranteed however, is that cycling burns calories so regular cycling will help you to burn off hundreds, if not thousands, of calories each week.
Cycling Regularly is Great for the Environment
Here at ROCKBROS, we’re passionate about the environment and do all we can to be as environmentally conscious as possible. That’s why this next benefit is particularly important to us.
Cycling is not only great for you, it’s also great for the environment. If you swap your car, or public transport, for a bicycle, you’re helping to reduce your carbon footprint. As you probably know, the vast majority of cars and vehicles out there give off harmful emissions, whereas bicycles don’t. They don’t run on fossil fuels, nor do they require huge amounts of electricity to charge them.
By simply cycling to work, or using your bike for short journeys several times a week instead of your car, you’re helping to reduce your carbon footprint and are helping the environment.
Cycling Improves Your Mental Health
Another of the fantastic benefits of cycling that not enough people seem to talk about, is how regular cycling can improve your mental health.
Cycling is a fantastic way of getting out of the house, breathing in some fresh air, and enjoying the great outdoors. This in turn can help you to relieve feelings of stress, anxiety, and even depression. Many experts agree that getting outdoors and amongst nature can help to lift our spirits and mentally invigorate us.
From a physiological standpoint, cycling is also beneficial for your mental health as it has been found to promote the production and release of endorphins. Endorphins are hormones also known as ‘happy chemicals’ because they can improve your mood, suppress stress hormones such as cortisol, and even promote a good night’s sleep.
Cycling is Fun and a Great Way to Socialise
Finally, the last of the benefits of cycling that we’re going to be looking at today is the fact that regular cycling is a great way to socialise and have fun.
While many people enjoy cycling by themselves, it can be equally as enjoyable with others. Whether you’re cycling with a partner, friends, or family, or even a cycling group, regular bike rides can be great ways to socialise with others and have fun.
Potential Drawbacks of Cycling
As fantastic as cycling is, it isn’t without its drawbacks. In the interest of transparency and fairness, we’re now going to highlight a couple of potential disadvantages of cycling, and how they can be resolved.
Cycling Can be Dangerous
Without question, one of the largest possible drawbacks associated with cycling is the fact that it can be dangerous.
Cycling at night for example, can be dangerous, especially on roads, which is why it’s so important to have a reliable bike light installed. Bike lights let pedestrians, vehicles, and other road users know you’re there in poor visibility. It may sound dramatic, but the lights on your bicycle could literally save your life.
At ROCKBROS, we’ve a wide range of bike lights available to suit all budgets and all types of bike.
The Weather Can Be Problematic
When you’re cycling in perfect conditions, life is great. Unfortunately, the weather doesn’t always play ball and can be a little problematic and changeable, especially here.
While the prospect of cycling in the rain, or cold weather won’t appeal to many, cycling in intense sunshine can also pose its own risks. If you’re cycling in intense sunshine for several hours at a time, sunburn is a very real danger. A quick and easy fix for this however, is a set of arm sleeves which offer both wind and UV protection.
Even your eyes are at risk in intense sunlight, which is why a set of polarized cycling glasses with UV protection are considered a must, even if it isn’t as hot and sunny as you’d have liked.
