Why is cycling good for you?
Cycling is mainly an aerobic activity so your heart, blood vessels and lungs all get a workout. You breathe deeper, perspire and have a higher body temperature, which improves your overall fitness level, and it’s low impact so it’s easy on your joints.
How can KBPT personal trainers help you to become a better cyclist?
We work with newbie cyclists, triathletes and in-betweeners to increase their cardio fitness, get stronger and burn calories on their bikes. We can create a bespoke personal training programme for you, which might include:
- What to think about when buying a bike and how to set it up
- Where to go spinning and how to have the correct form (you’ll be top of the class in no time!)
- How to train for specific cycling events and races, whether it’s a short track race or the 40km leg of a triathlon
- Strength and flexibility advice, specifically for cycling
- How to increase your cycling speed – get up those hills and round those bends even faster
- Advice about avoiding injuries when cycling
Benefits of cycling:
- Cycling is an excellent aerobic workout that strengthens your heart, improves circulation, and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
- It mainly works your legs – glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves, but also engages your core and even upper body when climbing or balancing.
- Unlike running, cycling is low-impact and gentler on your joints, making it ideal for people with joint concerns or recovering from injury.
- Regular cycling can help burn calories, boost metabolism, and support fat loss when combined with a balanced diet.
- Moderate, consistent cycling has been shown to improve immune function and reduce the risk of some illnesses.
- Cycling outdoors, or even on a stationary bike, can reduce cortisol levels and boost endorphins, helping to lift your mood.
- Exercise like cycling enhances brain function, sharpens memory, and may even help prevent age-related decline.
- Reaching cycling goals, like distance or speed targets can increase self-esteem and motivation in other areas of life.
- Cycling is a green mode of transport that reduces carbon emissions and helps ease urban traffic congestion.
- Bikes cost less to buy and maintain than cars or public transport in the long run.
FACTS
- Cycling just 30 minutes a day can improve cardiovascular and pulmonary health by up to 15%
- A study showed that cycling caused 60% less joint stress compared to running, making it ideal for people with arthritis or recovering from injury.
- Outdoor cycling can reduce depression and anxiety symptoms by up to 30%, due to increased endorphin release and exposure to nature.
- Regular cyclists live on average 3–14 months longer than non-cyclists and enjoy a better quality of life in later years.
- A study in Aging Cell (2018) found that older adults who cycled regularly had immune systems comparable to much younger people, especially in T-cell production.
