In the UK we all need incentive to get on our bike! Here are just a few!
- Increased cardiovascular fitness
- Increased muscle strength and flexibility
- Improved joint mobility
- Decreased stress levels
- Improved posture and coordination
- Strengthened bones
- Decreased body fat levels
- Prevention or management of disease
- Reduced anxiety and depression.
Cycling has many health benefits. It is a low impact exercise that doubles up as an environmentally sound way to travel. The UK has the highest levels of obesity in Western Europe and cycling can have a directly positive impact on this alarming statistic. Cycling helps you lose weight. Studies have shown that even sedentary people can reap the benefits of healthy cycling.
Cycling can improve your cholesterol levels which in turn can boost your cardiovascular health and directly lower your chances of having a stroke or heart attack. But not only physical benefits have been observed. Cycling is well known to boost mental health and brain power. Stress levels, depression and anxiety can all be mitigated too. It has also been considered that cycling can help prevent and manage type 2 diabetes, a recent study shows that regular cycling can lower mortality rates for people living with diabetes by 24%.
Amazingly cycling regularly can equate to a fitness level to that of a person 10 years younger than you according to the National Forum for Coronary Heart Disease Foundation and cycling at least 20 miles a week reduces the risk of heart disease to less than half that of non-cyclist. Without doubt we will be getting on our bikes this weekend!
