5 reasons to get on your bike

Since the success of the Olympics, there has been a huge increase in the cycling scene and it’s no wonder considering the huge mental and health benefits. Not only is cycling a great alternative for commuting but it has the benefit of combining a workout with a stress-free activity. Check out these 5 great reasons to get on your bike this summer.

1. Stress free
Hilary Gilbert, co-founder of Boom Cycle, a dynamic and entertaining bike-based, cardiovascular workout, praises the benefits of Boom Cycling for your mental health. ‘By putting yourself through a high intensity workout like Boom Cycle, your body releases endorphins, which make you feel amazing! It is also an immersive experience providing an escape from the stresses or everyday life.’

2. Easy way to tone up
Cyclists are notorious for having killer legs, with the constant pedalling demanding that your quads, glutes and calves are put into actions. In addition, ‘working the handlebar sculpts your upper body too’ says Erik Moen, an elite physical therapist. Gilbert also advises that ‘it’s a great alternative to running for someone who is overweight and trying to shift the pounds, as the bike supports your weight while still allowing you to increase your heart rate and work out.’

3. Great for your joints
If you have a long-standing knee injury or are recovering from a gruelling marathon, cycling is a great activity to give yourself an aerobic workout without pounding your joints. ‘Riding your bike, has a lower impact on your body and engages the muscles in the legs without as much force,’ explains Andy Clark, president of the League of American Bicyclists. So long as you keep your legs pumping on your bike, it ends up being a smoother, lower risk form of cardio you’ll appreciate, especially if you’re recovering from an injury.

4. Increase your IQ
During adulthood, experts have found that a region of the brain involved in memory, the hippocampus, shrinks. However, PhD lecturer, Kristen Hotting discovered that a year after regular cycling, participants in a study developed new brain cells in the hippocampus and as a consequence their memory improved. Research from Illinois University found that just a 5% increase in your fitness from cycling led to up to 15% improvement in mental tests.

5. Reap the benefits hours later
Physiologist Mark Simpson at Loughborough University states that the body’s metabolic rate is not only raised during a ride but for several hours after, so that ‘even after cycling, your body is still burning a higher amount of calories than normal’. Studies have also shown that the amount burned post-exercise is directly linked to your workout’s intensity and for most people, optimal post-exercise calorie burning will occur with exercise performed at 70 to 85 percent of the individual’s max heart rate.

So, what are you waiting for? Time to saddle up!