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 The
Benefits of Bike Riding
By Tash Hughes of Save Time Online
Bike riding is a popular sport, but many of us don’t find
the time to go for many rides even if we have a bike sitting in
the garage somewhere collecting dust!
A thirty minute bike ride will burn up about 8 kilojoules at a
social pace, or 26 kj if you ride at 25 kph or faster. Compare that
to 5kj for a slow walk or 9kj for half an hour of sit ups!
So bike riding is an effective form of exercise and can be part
of a fitness or weight loss program. But there are other advantages
as well.
* Unlike working out in a gym, bike riding will get you out in
the fresh air and in different environments. All resulting in clearing
your mind and helping you relax and enjoy yourself.
* Riding outside also exposes you to sunlight which is a natural
source of vitamin D and also reduces seasonal affect disorders.
* Bike riding isn’t very stressful on most of your body, and
it’s certainly less jarring than going for a run although
a medium paced jog burns a similar amount of energy.
* Bike riding can be practical. Consider riding next time you need
to visit a friend or maybe even use it as a way to get to work each
day. Not only will you get some exercise, you’ll save petrol
money and may even save time.
* Make it social. It’s hard to chat whilst swimming or doing
aerobics, but bike riding with a friend allows for chatting and
you can have a picnic or well earned drink at the end.
* Power. Riding a bike with the rush of wind in your face can give
a real sense of power.
* In the same time, you can move a lot further on a bike than you
can by walking so you can explore more places and get an extra sense
of freedom from the everyday.
* Once you have a bike, bike riding is cheap. Apart from the odd
tyre tube and maybe some grease, bike riding doesn’t cost
much for months or years at a time.
* Riding up a big hill or a long distance is hard work, but once
you reach the destination you will feel exhilarated and rightly
proud of your achievements. And unlike some other exercise options,
you can actually see what you have achieved.
* Bike riding gives you a cardio-vascular workout and also builds
leg muscle. And don’t forget that more muscle means you burn
more kj even when you’re sitting still!
* If you want an exercise program that will last, bike riding fits
the bill. Some other exercise ideas become trendy for a while then
fade away and you’re left with equipment you can’t use;
other exercises won’t suit your lifestyle as you have children
or get older. Bikes last and can be used over many years. Parents
can take their children on rides, or as a break from the children,
and older people can still ride if their balance is ok.
* A Danish study indicated that people riding for about 3 hours
a week have 40% less chance of dying compared to a sedentary group
– so ride yourself to a longer life!
* Riding to work may actually reduce the amount of pollution you
breathe in whilst commuting. Cyclists breathe more than drivers
and thus take in a larger amount of oxygen, according to a European
study. Physical activity also reduces the impact of any pollutants
anyway.
* Cyclists have reduced chances of depression and quicker recovery
times if they do develop depression. This is possibly a greater
effect than from other forms of exercise.
* Riding your bike rather than driving or even taking a train will
give you more time to observe what is happening around you. Noticing
flowers and trees will relax you and many other things you see as
you ride can amuse, inspire or excite you.
Tash Hughes is a Microbiologist and the owner of Word
Constructions.
She is available to solve all your business writing problems! From
letters to policies, newsletters to web content, Word Constructions
writes all business documents to your style and satisfaction.
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