Thinking of taking up a new sport, but not sure what sport is right for you? Cycling could be the answer! Doubling up as a form of transport and exercise, cycling can have many exciting benefits. This post takes a look at some of the great reasons to take up cycling as a sport.
A sport with many health benefits
Taking up cycling is a great way to get fit. It also has mental health benefits. Some of the health benefits of cycling are included below:
- Cycling is one of the most effective ways to burn calories and can help you lose weight.
- Cycling is a great muscle workout that can tone up your leg muscles, buttock and even your abs.
- Being an outdoor sport, cycling can help expose people to fresh air and sunlight – which is good for our lungs, skin, bones and brain.
- Cycling is a great way to relieve stress and may also help relieve anxiety and depression.
- Want to lower your risk of cardiovascular disease? Cycling is excellent for the heart and can help regulate blood pressure and blood cholesterol.
Faster than jogging
While jogging has many of the same health benefits, cycling allows you to cover more distance faster and also has more rapid health benefits. Don’t have time for a 30 minute jog? A 15 minute cycle could have the same impact. This makes it a great sport for people who don’t have a lot of spare time.
Cycling can also be a great way to get around and you can combine bike rides with errands. A lot of people commute to work by bike. Instead of going to the gym in the morning, you could find that cycling to work is an efficient enough workout. You can treat it as a sport by challenging yourself to obtain a faster time each morning.
A low-impact sport
Some sports are not suitable for those with joint issues. Running is a prime example that often exacerbates joint issues. Cycling typically isn’t as strenuous on the joints and is classed as a low-impact sport because of this. This makes it a very accessible sport.
It’s worth noting that some injuries and conditions may still be aggravated by cycling. A doctor will usually be able to advise you as to whether they think cycling is OK.
More affordable than you think
Cycling is cheaper than driving a car. But the cost of purchasing a bike can still put off many people. Just how much should you spend to get a decent bike? It depends on the type of bicycle you want – mountain bikes can cost more than road bikes. However, in each case, you should be looking at spending over $1000 for a high quality new bicycle.
Used bicycles are a lot cheaper and are often ideal for those who are initially getting into cycling. It’s worth noting that there are also many ways to spread out the cost of a bike from paying by credit card to instalment plans. Buy now pay later sporting goods have become particularly popular and could ve a great way to purchase a bike now if you currently don’t have enough money but are eager to get started.
A social opportunity
Cycling can be a social activity that can be done with friends. You can all meet up at the weekend and challenge yourself to take on longer and harder routes, while stopping at places along the way.
There are also cycling clubs that you can join in many cities. These can be a great way to meet new people while staying fit. Some of the cycling clubs may even be run by coaches who can help train you for local races.
What are the cons of cycling?
While there are many benefits to cycling, it clearly isn’t for everyone. Not everyone feels confident riding a bike and some people worry about falling off injuring themselves. It’s possible that the roads around where you live may be too dangerous to cycle on and that there may not be enough off-road opportunities. Cycling is also an outdoor sport that may not be suitable to all climates – particularly places that get a lot of rain or snow.
Of course, there are many ways to get around the cons of cycling such as taking cycling awareness courses, wearing decent safety equipment or buying an indoor exercise bike. It depends on how determined you are to give cycling a go. Borrowing someone’s bike and trialling out cycling could be a good option before committing to buying your own bike.
