Guest Post: 5 Reasons to Take Up Cycling

Today I have the opportunity to present an article by guest poster Susan White, who writes about various topics in health and fitness for Radiology Technician Schools in New York.  Susan invites any questions or comments to her email address - susan.white33@gmail.com.

5 Reasons to Take Up Cycling

It not only makes you slim and fit, it boosts your health as well. Exercise is the cheapest and easiest way to good health and a long and disease-free life. When you make exercise a way of life and spend at least 30 minutes every day working out, you reap the rewards for a long, long time. Cycling is one of the best cardio exercises – it’s both fun and beneficial, if you do it the right way. So if you want to take up cycling as your main workout routine, go right ahead because cycling offers the following benefits:

• It boosts overall health: Cycling is one of the best known cardiovascular exercises. It has been known to improve heart health and be a good form of exercise for patients with diabetes and other chronic lifestyle illnesses. Cycling offers your lungs and blood vessels a good workout and keeps your body fit and healthy. It also regulates your blood pressure and boosts your immune system.
  
• It helps you reduce weight: When you cycle regularly for at least 20 miles a week, you find that you lose all that extra fat. It’s even better than running because it is a non-weight bearing exercise and so, easier on your knees. This makes cycling a safe exercise for people who are overweight and not able to run, and who need a form of exercise more strenuous than walking.
  
• It’s a great stress-buster: When you cycle outdoors and feel yourself being one with nature, you feel all your stress evaporating into thin air. You feel your mood getting a boost, especially when you meet fellow cyclists and socialize with them and others on the road. Also, when you cycle to and from work, you feel better about yourself because you’re not contributing to polluting the environment.
  
• It tones your muscles: Cycling is as good as many strength training exercises when it comes to toning your hamstrings, quads and gluteus muscles. They get stronger by the day and this improves your overall balance and agility.
  
• It improves fitness and stamina: And finally, cycling boosts your fitness and stamina and improves your endurance. When you improve your distance and time every week or fortnight, you feel yourself becoming fitter and stronger than ever before.

Some people prefer to cycle outdoors while others prefer to do it in the comfort of a gym on a stationary bike. Either way, wear clothing that is comfortable and choose your equipment so that it’s the right size for you. When your gear is not comfortable, you get a sore butt and knees and you also risk chafing your inner thighs. Also, adopt the right posture when riding so that you don’t strain your back and other parts of your body.