Cycling for Weight Loss
Do you know that for achieving the goal of weight loss, the number of calories burnt should be greater than the number of calories consumed? Do you know bicycling is ideal for weight loss, as it helps in burning a lot of calories? Share the benefits of bicycling described in this article with your friends.
Benefits of Bicycling
Burning the Calories: The overall motion of bicycling helps burn a lot of calories, since, you require certain amount of energy to move you and your bicycle against the resistance of air and gravity. If you weigh around 80 kg, you can burn more than 500 calories in an hour of cycling, at a moderate pace. This is the best way for natural weight loss. Half an hour recreational cycling at 5 mph can burn 75-155 kcal, while a moderate 10 mph cycling can burn 190-415 kcal in 30 minutes. If you opt for vigorous 15 mph cycling for half an hour, 300-670 kcal can be burnt.
Muscle Development: Cycling involves use of quadriceps, hamstring (large muscles) and the small calf muscles. The exercise makes these muscles strong and well-developed. The body looks leaner but stronger. This also helps in raising the resting metabolic rate, leading to burning of more calories even while resting. The abdominal and back muscles are also strengthened leading to a good balance and posture of your body. When the core region of the body is strong enough to support, all other activities like lifting groceries, gardening, carrying children are obviously found to be easier.
Freedom: Nowadays, many cities encourage 'no car' areas and 'pedestrian only' areas . Cycling offers greater freedom about where to go. With a bike, going down narrow lanes or on canal paths and cutting corners is quite possible, which you cannot do in a car. Driving a car can never offer you the freedom that cycling can. Smoothly descending a hill on a bike is thrilling, which is something you can never feel in a car.
Saving Time: In crowded city areas, cycling is the best way to save time. In congested cities, it is the best quicker method of transport. You don't have to spend time driving around searching a parking lot, as you can park usually exactly where you want to end up.
Easy to Start: This exercise offers a wide range of intensities. Very low intensity can also help in burning calories. So, cycling is the easiest way to start with. You can increase the level of intensity gradually, in a slow and controlled manner.
Inexpensive: If you wish to lose weight, cycling is a relatively inexpensive fat burning exercise. A bicycle costs less than a car. It can also save significantly on petrol cost. Cars are most inefficient at low speeds while cycling in crowded areas can be comparatively inexpensive besides being easier.
Cardiovascular Fitness: Regular bicycle ride improves cardiovascular fitness, leading to more energy throughout the day. An increased sense of vigor and well-being is observed, when cycling is enjoyed regularly. It helps prevent heart diseases and high blood pressure.
Social Activity: Cycling is a very good social activity, as it can be a group activity. It can be enjoyed with family and friends.
No Global Warming: As cycling does not emit any carbon dioxide, there is no risk of pollution, which can help in reducing the effect of global warming.
No Age Bar: Cycling can be tried by people belonging to any age group. No special training is required.
Less Risk: Bicycles are not lethal machines, like cars. They can rarely be the cause of a fatal accident. Cycling can help reduce the death rate due to accidents on road.
Stress Release: Stress has become an inevitable part of modern lifestyles. Cycling helps you a lot to take your mind off many trifling problems, which leads to reduced level of stress.
Outdoors: There exist different types of bicycles, like road racing bikes, mountain bikes, etc. Various types of bicycles are available for outdoor activities. Fresh air can help you feel energetic.
Safety: Nowadays, good bike tracks and well-designed bike lanes are available on city and country roads. Taking into consideration the bicycle helmet reviews, we can safely conclude that bicycle helmets protect the cycle riders very well.
Prevention of Diseases: Diseases like diabetes, hormonal imbalance can be prevented with the help of cycling.
Easy for Joints: As cycling is a non weight bearing exercise, it is very easy on the joints, tendons and muscles.
Indoors: There are various types of exercise bikes available, with which, cycling can be an indoor activity also.
To start cycling, you just need to have a bike, bike helmet, sunglasses, water bottle, spare tubes, bike pump and a little knowledge of bicycle brake repair.
I hope it is now clear how good is cycling for weight loss. Not just cycling, any exercise like swimming or brisk walking, when accompanied by healthy and balanced diet, can help achieve the goal of weight loss. The important thing is that you should make 'cycling' or 'brisk walking', a fun affair and not a routine.
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