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The benefits of cycling are numerous and include increased fitness, health and reduced road congestion. As riding a bike is a fairly safe activity it is one of an elite group of sports where the benefits gained from participation far outweigh the risks of being involved. Biking is a very diverse sport, in that there are forms ranging from road cycling to mountain biking and even unicycling. Let's discuss the benefits of cycling in terms of health and fitness and how you can maximize these benefits.

Health Benefits of cycling

As a predominantly aerobic sport, cycling provides many cardiovascular respiratory health benefits. These have been specifically shown to include:
- reduced risk of heart diseases
- prevention of diabetes
- increase in the good high density lipoproteins of cholesterol and a decrease in the bad (LDL)

Another major reason to get on your bike is maintenance of a healthy weight and increased energy levels. In this day and age that is possibly the best reason for people to engage in cycling or other aerobic activity. Increased bone density, stronger muscles and lower resting heart rate are also associated with riding.

Mental benefits have been shown to include greater productiveness and less mood swings via aerobic exercise. Some people have also reported feelings of more energy, greater happiness and less stress once they began involved in cycling.

Fitness from riding

An increase in aerobic capacity is the most obvious improvement in fitness from cycling but there are a few more advantages in cycling. As a low impact sport cycling reduces wear and tear on bones, connective tissues and muscles if you can't run at least you can still ride. Riding can also improve strength, muscular endurance and tone and power.

As a predominantly lower leg workout cycling is great for cross training for sports such as rowing and canoeing. If riding a bike is currently your only form of physical activity it is recommended that you do some upper body work to supplement the riding for maximum fitness benefit.

Maximizing the benefits of cycling

In order to maximize the benefits of cycling here are a few simple tips:
- ride to work, the shops or to school/uni (you'll save on fuel)
- supplement you riding with upper body gym work
- get cleats or straps on the pedals, this can increase energy efficiency
- if you don't want to ride on the roads/trails buy an exercise bike
- wear biking shorts as they are much more comfortable

The health benefits of cycling mention are just some of the many you can make your life easier. Hopefully I have convinced you to get on your bike and enjoy the many health, fitness and financial benefits.

Learn more about this author, Jack Brooks.
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