The benefits of adding biking into your health routine are as endless as there are roads, trails, city streets, and country lanes to bike on. Obviously, we’re a bit biased when it comes to choosing a healthy activity - however, biking is very much one of the best activities that not only stimulates and promotes physical health but mental health as well, according to a 2017 study by the YMCA.
Weight Loss
Biking is a great way to reduce or control your weight - as it raises your metabolic rate, builds muscle, and burns body fat. There’s a simple equation to always remember when it comes to weight loss, ‘calories out must exceed calories in’. Cycling can burn anywhere between 800 to 2000 calories depending on the intensity and rider weight. Coupled with a healthy diet, biking can be a scenic, easy-on-the-joints way of shedding some of the extra weight we’ve gained due to our recent quarantine sourdough experiments.
Better Sleep
We now have a study to thank that supports the theory that “tiring yourself out exorcising will improve my sleep” - brought to you by the University of Georgia. The study focused on men and women aged 20 - 85 over the course of 35 years and found a drop in fitness level of 2% for men, and 4% of women led to sleep issues. Rodney Dishman, PhD, states “The steepest decline in physical fitness happens between the ages of 40-60. This is also when problems of sleep duration and quality are elevated”. Dishman goes on to explain that exercise can also calm anxiety, which is one of the leading causes of insomnia.
Decreased Risk of Heart Disease
A study conducted by the University of Glasgow, that focused on over 260,000 people over the course of 5 years - found that cycling to work can actually cut a rider’s risk of developing heart disease - and even cancer - in half. Check out the full study here.
Mental Health
As stated earlier - actively incorporating an activity like cycling into your routine can have an immensely positive effect on your overall well being. The YMCA study referenced above found that people who had a physically active lifestyle had a wellbeing score 32% higher on average than those who are inactive. Cycling combines physical activity with being outdoors, enjoying city sights or nature sounds - alone or with a group of friends. Graeme Obree, the former Hour Record Holder, once said that “Getting out and riding will help people suffering from depression… Without cycling, I don’t know where I’d be”.
We could go on to list between 20 - 30 health benefits of incorporating cycling into your work or school commute, using it as a way to see your hometown, or as a way to get out with your friends. Whatever the reason, Detroit Bikes can help find the perfect bike for you.
Check out our Commuter and Chromoly bikes, or take a look at the Best Bike Paths in Detroit.