Did you know that cycling is one of the best all-around, recreational activities? For one thing, people of all ages can do it as it’s a low-impact exercise. It’s a blast, uses all of the major muscle groups as you pedal, and it’s great for your heart. Biking to work can be fun!
Tons of celebs like Harrison Ford, Miley Cyrus, Hugh Jackman, Jessica Alba, Jon Hamm, and Goldie Hawn are just a few who like putting pedal-to-the-medal.
Some of them have been biking to work for assignments and enjoy the exercise. If you, too, are considering biking to work, good for you. Here are our top reasons to take off!
Money-Saving
Biking to work is economical when you think about it. Even if you invest in an expensive bicycle, you’re still saving lots of money because you don’t need gasoline or motor oil or the upkeep that automobiles, trucks, and motorcycles usually require.
You could add some handsome bicycle accessories like baskets, bells, and even bicycle computers and still not break your budget.
Think about it. Cars, subways, trains, or buses are not time-efficient modes of transportation like bicycles. Cycling also replaces sedentary (sitting) time that you would spend driving.
It’s a win-win!
Fitness Building
Hopping on a bicycle does your body good, and it’s the ideal way to get in a dose of daily exercise as you head off to work.
It’s a build able form of working out. You can go at your own pace, and if you want to intensify the exercise, you can do that, too.
Cycling is an excellent combination of cardio-vascular and aerobic fitness. If you’re interested in the burn, you can zap about 400 calories an hour.
Keep bicycling to work, and you can lose those extra pounds in a sensible and simple manner without much strain on your joints and muscles.
The exercise also tones the lower body, especially your legs, hips, and glutes.
Mental Boosting
Riding a bike is a pleasant experience, and psychologists agree that exercise is also good for your mental health.
It helps with depression, according to many cyclists like Graeme Obree, the Scottish racing cyclist who twice broke the world hour record.
He believes that getting on a bike and taking off provides immense relief.
“Getting out and riding will help [people suffering with depression] … Without cycling, I don’t know where I would be,” Obree said.
He doesn’t own a car, either. “It feels great when you’re out in the open air and you come back feeling refreshed and awake.”
Immune System Strengthening
It may sound crazy, but simply biking to work helps to enhance your immune system and can keep you healthier than most people without having to take much time off.
The aerobic benefits of bicycle riding help your upper respiratory system stay strong by boosting the production of essential proteins and helping white blood cells function properly.
The exercise also triggers the body to produce more interferon, a protein that is active against viruses.
One study found that bicycling every day can reduce your sick days by about 40 percent thanks to the power of aerobics.
In addition, riding a bike gets you away from the germ-infusion often found in modes of public transportation.
Better Sleeping
Let us be honest. Most of the people in our universe have trouble sleeping and/or don’t get enough zzz’s. In fact, 1 in 3 adults do not get enough sleep.
Those of us between the ages of 18 and 60 need to sleep at least 7 hours each night to ensure optimal health and well-being, say the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society.
When you are exercising, studies prove that you will hit the pillow faster and sleep much better than just leading a sedentary lifestyle.
Researchers at the University of Georgia performed a 35-year study of men and women ages 20 to 85.
What they discovered was that a drop in fitness of 2 percent for men and 4 percent for women resulted in sleep problems.
Not only is bicycling fun and convenient, but it’s great for your overall wellbeing. Riding a bike to work opens up a whole new avenue of living. Take off and enjoy!
Author Bio:
Samantha Higgins is a professional writer with a passion for research, observation, and innovation. She is nurturing a growing family of twin boys in Portland, Oregon with her husband. She loves kayaking and reading creative non-fiction. If you are interested in finding new bicycle accessories consider looking at the products from Bicycle Warehouse.
