by William Addison

Created on: May 23, 2009

The most obvious benefit from a cycling lifestyle is the improvement you will experience in your overall health. Few activities offer the low impact endurance training and exhilaration that cycling provides.

Riding a bike obviously works the muscles of your legs. Quadriceps, the gluteus maximums, the calves and hamstrings are all engaged during a proper pedal stroke and the demands placed on those muscles will contribute to their growth. Core strength is also built by riding a bicycle. Off-road cycling offers fantastic benefits to the core muscles as one maneuvers the bicycle over mounds, jumps, and fallen trees.

Because most of the muscles that are used during a simple pedal stroke are the largest muscles in the human body, the cardiovascular system is engaged in a profound way. The heart is asked to provide all of those large muscles with fully oxygenated blood during routine riding; therefore, it is easy to maintain your target heart rate. Lung capacity is also increased, as the oxygen requirements of your muscles will demand that you breath harder.

All of this muscle working, heart pounding and breathing activity burns calories. If you spend an hour on your bike pedaling at a moderate effort of 12-13 mph, 544 calories are burned. Increase your average speed to 16 mph and you can burn over 800 calories per hour. Racing speeds will easily burn over 1000 calories per hour. If you do not like the idea of having to eat like a bird to lose weight then ride your bike hard every day.

People who are avid cyclists tend to stick together as riding in a group is a wonderful and exhilarating experience. There are clubs in most metropolitan areas that get together regularly to ride. Some groups are competitive and others are more social with slower paced touring type rides. Both types offer opportunities to meet great people who can share their experiences and provide guidance to newer riders. This can improve your cycling skills and make your riding into a more enjoyable activity.

If fuel prices are bringing you down, a bicycle is a great commuting tool. Proper planning is necessary however depending on your career. If you require office attire, a bike may provide challenges, but many professionals successfully commute by bike.

Some people are cyclists, and some people just own a bike. In order to enjoy all of the benefits of cycling, the pedals must turn regularly! Learning about cycling can be a life-changing endeavor. If you are up to the challenge, start riding your bike today. If you do not have one, do some research, find a quality bike shop, and go get one and start pedaling!

Learn more about this author, William Addison.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.