Hello Everyone. Today’s article is a guest post from CAD Shelters.
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A rising number of Brits are using bikes. It’s estimated that over three million of us cycle each month, and it’s not hard to see why. As well as being a cheap and eco-friendly means of getting around, cycling has major benefits for both the body and mind.
It’s little wonder then that companies, schools and other organisations are increasingly turning to bike shelter specialists such as CAD Shelters to help ensure they have suitable cycling facilities in place. If you’re wondering whether you should ditch the car from time to time in favour of this two-wheeled mode of transport, take a look at the following cycling-related plus points.
A Low-Impact Exercise That Helps You Stay In Shape
Regular cycling represents one of the easiest ways to stay in shape. This is because, as well as being enjoyable, it’s highly practical. By swapping your regular commute in favour of climbing onto a bike, you can incorporate exercise into your daily routine. Cycling is effective at burning energy too. For example, an individual who weighs 80kg is likely to expend over 650 calories by cycling for an hour. The best way to boost your cardiovascular fitness on two wheels is to ride for at least 150 minutes per week. Bear in mind that this form of exercise also builds muscle tone.
Unlike running and many other aerobic activities, cycling is low-impact and is therefore easier on your joints. This means you can get stuck into the sport without worrying that you’re doing your body harm. You should also be able to carry on cycling well into later life.
A Simple Way To Reduce Stress
As well as promoting your physical health, cycling could benefit your mental wellbeing. One way in which it could enhance your mood is by making your journeys to work more pleasurable. A 2006 study conducted by the Victoria Transport Policy Institute found that a much higher rate of cyclist commuters reported liking their journeys to and from work than people who used other forms of transport.
Exercise in general is now considered to be an effective means of tackling stress and depression, and GPs increasingly prescribe exercise therapy to treat these conditions. In part, this is because physical activity is known to raise levels of endorphins, which are the body’s natural feel-good hormones. Riding a bike could be the ideal form of exercise because it’s so accessible and practical.
More generally, getting out and about in the fresh air on your bike could help to improve your mood and it offers a good opportunity to de-stress.
If you think you could bolster your body and mind by boarding a bike, now could be the perfect time to take this activity up.