Biking and Its Underrated Benefits
I have a bittersweet childhood memory of biking. It was when my cousin went to our home riding her bicycle. As a kid, I also wanted to learn how to ride it, experience how it feels pedaling, and enjoy making rounds in the neighborhood. So, I asked my father to teach me how to. My mother told him to hold me while on it and let go when I could ride alone.
My father did not bother doing any of what we asked; instead, he said, “Let her be, let her learn on her own.” That is what makes this memory special. After it happened, I never asked my parents to teach me anything. I started exploring things by myself, and I thank my father for that. He may not teach me how to ride the bike, but he taught me to try things before asking for help from anyone.
Now that I am old enough, I want to share this memory and the benefits of riding on it, which I did not know before.
Benefits of Biking
Improves Mental Well-Being
Being outside your room and feeling the breeze while riding makes you feel liberated. It allows you to think of nothing and just enjoy the moment. It improves your mood and gives you a sense of accomplishment once you reach your target destination or distance quota.
Weight-Loss Friendly
Biking is one of the best routines when starting your weight loss journey. This makes you sweat hard and satisfyingly exhausted. Cycling intensely can burn the calories consumed and lower body fat levels, promoting healthy weight management.
Environmental-Friendly
Instead of riding a car that emits carbon, biking only takes your strength to work. Besides, you will not sit for too long due to traffic and wait for the car to be fully loaded before leaving. It is a good choice if you are going to places too far to walk and makes you look weird when you arrive in a car.
Alternative Workout
A weekly workout routine needs intervals; even a machine needs one. Since cycling is a lighter and low-impact aerobic activity, it is excellent to do it alternately with challenging exercises. Instead of filling the week with a rigorous fitness drill, allow your body to rest; it does not negatively affect your progress.
Reduces the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Cycling is an excellent way to raise your heart rate and lower blood pressure. They also improve the circulation of oxygen and blood throughout your body (PennState). The cardiovascular benefits of walking, running, or dancing are all comparable to those of cycling.
Improves Balance and Coordination
Your general balance, coordination, and even walking will improve as you maintain your body alignment. It is essential to maintain balance as it tends to deteriorate with age and inactivity. Enhancing your balance can improve core stability, thus lowering the risk of injury.
Strengthens Lower Body
It is no surprise that cycling strengthens your lower half. When pedaling, your calves, glutes, quads, and hamstrings all work. This way, it strengthens your muscle in the areas without putting too much stress on them.
Better Sleep
Bike if you want a restful night’s sleep. A study by the University of Georgia has established that biking will make it easier to fall asleep. The scientists claimed that one possible explanation could be the lowering of anxiety. Exercise also helps fight aging-related weight gain, another factor in poor sleep.
Without us knowing, biking actually has a lot of benefits. Not only does it improve your physical health, but your cognitive too. Whether you bike alone or with your friends, may it be a good memory you will get to share in the future.
Happy riding!
