Health Matters >> Cycling-the healthy option
   Our Index >>

 
   Expert Views >>
 

Cycling - The Healthy Option

Courtesy :: http://www.bv.com.au/bikes-and-riding/120/
Wednesday, April 30, 2008

• Cycling regularly will improve your fitness and can help you live a long and healthy life.
• Riding a bike can help you maintain a healthy weight.
• Three quarters of all personal journeys are less than 10 kilometers long - that's half an hour on a bike.

What's In It For You?

More cycling is good news for the environment and your local community. But the biggest benefit is for you as an individual.

Increasing Fitness

Your strength, stamina, aerobic fitness and general muscle function will all be improved. Cycling is a low impact activity and one of the safest ways to exercise without risk of over-exertion or strain to muscles and joints. Regular physical activity also facilitates other healthy behaviour and could help you reduce weight or even give up smoking.

Lowering Risk of Heart Attack

Your heart muscles are strengthened, resting pulse is lowered and blood fat levels reduced. People taking regular physical activity suffer far less heart disease than people who don't!

Shedding Excess Weight

By burning body fat and raising your metabolic rate you can lose weight. If you undertake physical activity regularly you can enjoy a more varied diet without increasing body weight. Cycling is one of the more comfortable forms of physical activity for those who are new to exercise, allowing most people to get fit easily and safely without undue physical strain.

Reducing Stress

Anxiety, stress and depression are all alleviated, partly due to the physical activity itself, but also due to the pleasure and satisfaction of riding a bike. Cycling is convenient for short journeys, and often faster across town than other forms of transport. It's a stress free means of taking physical activity because it can form part of a daily routine. So there's no need to worry about fitting your new healthy lifestyle into an already overcrowded schedule.

So come and ride with us - you'll feel better for it!




© cycle-e-thon.tripod.com