7 Reasons To Get On Your Bike.

Like many people I lead a hectic lifestyle and dont have a lot free time to pay a visit to the gym to boost my physical fitness. Ive always enjoyed cycling outdoors and I fully grasp the health and fitness benefits I could gain from cycling but bad weather, heavy traffic and traffic fumes often put me off. A better option I thought would be to look into a piece of equipment I could use in the home and believed a stationary exercise bike to generally be a great investment. After spending much time and effort taking a look at the most effective alternatives available and what would be the most appropriate bike for me, I chose a somewhat fancy Proform model costing 300. After six months it ended up being a rather fancy, expensive clothes horse.

What is it that keeps us inspired to keep up a health and fitness regime? I glanced over at my clothes bike right after watching a news item on the recent Tour de France and made the decision I needed to revisit the motive why I chose to spend so much hard cash on the bike and to get me back on it. This is what I came up with:

1)Reduce excess weight: an individual who weighs 12 stone can burn 650 calories by cycling for 1 hour, and will tone the legs and bottom in the process.

2)Strengthen heart and cardiovascular system: any cardio vascular training such as cycling will improve the role of the heart. Cycling is excellent as it can train the heart to be stronger which results in significantly less stress on the heart. The risk factors that bring about a heart attack can be decreased by regular cycling and that means you are 50% less likely to have a heart attack.

3)Improve muscles and joints: as we get older the strength of our muscles reduces and our muscles begin to shrink. Cycling activates each of the bodys muscle groups, and as the muscles hold together the skeletal system, strengthening the muscles supports and protects the skeleton. Cycling could also avert slipped discs by stimulating the muscle groups in the lower back and as a non weight bearing exercise, cycling does not impact and damage the joints in the hips and knees.

4)Improve the immune system: cycling helps strengthen the immune system and contributes to a healthy and balanced life. Moderate exercise such as cycling can increase immune response to tumour cells and prevent other illnesses.

5)Mental health: cycling has a relaxing influence because of its uniform and cyclical movement. Stabilising the physical and emotional activities of the body by cycling can serve to lessen anxiety, depression and mental stress.

6)Looking good: Cycling improves body shape, however it also improves the condition of the skin as the enhancement in metabolism and circulation can help bring nutrients to the skin and carry away impurities. Cycling also helps boost your perception of yourself which influences how individuals see you.

7)Decrease blood pressure: cycling will help to decrease your blood pressure which in turn may help to prevent a stroke as well as other conditions.

So, along with improving physical fitness and stamina, cycling incorporates a wealth of other health benefits. Naturally there is almost nothing like the open road, but a stationary exercise bike can be used any time of day and in any weather conditions, without the worry of inhaling traffic fumes. You can ride safely while listening to music or watching your favourite TV programmes, and never need to worry about getting knocked off. Its time to get back again on the bike, and establish some physical exercise into my day-to-day routine.