Cycling - helps with weight loss and builds stamina. Well, that’s true. But, the benefits of this leisurely activity are manifold, let alone how perfect your body appears to others. The benefits of cycling include building muscle and improve flexibility. Would you believe it is even better than many other workout routines combined? All it takes is 30 to 40 minutes and 5 days a week. You will transform into something else (definitely a happier version of yourself!).

Benefits of Cycling: Why you Should Resort to it Right Away

Cycling is a low-impact aerobic exercise and it is for all ages. Check out the various benefits below, if you are still not convinced:

1. ‘Home is Where the Heart is’

Well, if the heart gets the necessary oxygen and blood supply, there is nothing to worry about. The problem, however, is among sedentary people. According to a recent study, the renowned journal, Circulation, published that regular cyclists had 15% less chance of heart attacks than the ones who don’t. Many other studies also claim that cyclists don’t have to worry about other heart-related diseases such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure. But, if you have any heart-related problems, just cycling won’t help if you quit your medication. Your doctor will surely encourage cycling as well as give you the appropriate dosage.

Pro tips –

•   Get a fitness tracker, preferably an advanced one, like our PLAYFIT 21 or PLAYFIT SW75. These track your heart rate 24/7.
•   Also, if you don’t have a park nearby and live in a crowded space, you can always do the stationary bike workouts at the nearest gym. The benefits of cycling at the gym is equivalent to outdoor cycling.

2. No More Weight Gain Issues

Good news! The International Journal of Obesity published a study where people who were initially overweight lost weight in six months of cycling. It is also a well-known fact that simply controlling your diet alone will not help you shed weight. Include cycling, cut the carbs and see how fast you get rid of the fat.

3. Increases your Longevity

Legendary British cyclist, Brian Robinson mentioned in a BBC interview that he highly recommends cycling. He joked "...they say it gives you an extra 10 years of life. Another decade would do me fine.”

As per a recent study by the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands, every hour of cycling adds one hour to life expectancy.

4. Aren’t You Smarter Than Ever Now!

Simply put, an interesting cycling exercise benefit is that it helps your brain. It is purely neurological. There will be healthier blood flow to every organ in your body the more you pedal. As a result, your nerve cells are opened up, contributing to the creation of Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BNDF) protein, which, in turn, leads to new brain cell formations. Cycling helps you retain your memories better by stimulating the hippocampus area of your brain.

Pro tip –

Go cycling every morning. The ‘happy hormone’ – serotonin will kick in as you pedal at a moderate pace. This hormone will remain active throughout the day.

5. You Look Younger

Yes, cycling can make you look younger. Not just in your appearance, though. You will feel younger. Studies show that cycling optimizes the collagen production in the body. This significantly reduces the formation of wrinkles.

Benefits of Cycling Will Always Stay

So, what do you say now! These are just some of the advantages of cycling among the many others. Let’s hope these are enough to motivate you to pedal your way to fitness and more.