Weight loss is something that is on almost everyone’s mind. Maybe you want to shed a few pounds before summer, or perhaps you’re in it for the long-term health benefits. Regardless of your reasons for wanting to cycle, you’ll be glad to know that it’s one of the preferred methods of weight loss by experts and athletes all around the world.
But we’re not going to talk about just the health benefits of cycling. As we all know, weight loss isn’t something that just happens over night. Weight loss happens as a result of life changes. Sure, you can fast for a couple of weeks and shed weight that way, but if you simply sink back into your old habits then you’re going to put the weight back on just as quickly as you lost it. To lose weight permanently, you need to make changes to your lifestyle and that’s when cycling can come in handy.
Cycle safety
It’s important to note that although cycling is a fantastic method of losing weight that can easily be integrated into your life, it’s also very dangerous if you aren’t properly trained. Make sure you practice cycling safety so you don’t end up in a bicycle crash that could leave you injured or scarred for life. For instance, remember to indicate where you are turning with your hands, practice cycling on busy roads, and ensure you have the correct safety gear on when you do cycle.
Now that safety is out of the way, let’s take a look at some of the advantages that cycling offers over other weight loss activities.
Enjoy the great outdoors
If you want to take your exercise outdoor this summer, then what better way to achieve that goal than to cycle outdoors. Not only will you get some fantastic fresh air and be able to enjoy the sun, it’s also a fantastic group activity to take your friends and family on for some fun. Cycle together up and down the coast, take a quiet ride through some forests or mountains, or perhaps travel to a cycling trail.
Use it instead of your car
If you’re driving for roughly 10 to 30 minutes every day for your commute, then consider replacing your gas-guzzling vehicle for a greener option: your bicycle. Not only will it help you lose weight, it will make a drastic improvement to your lifestyle and make you fit, healthy, and full of energy when you arrive to work. Sure, the first few days are going to be stressful and difficult, but as you get used to it, you’ll have a healthy heart to show for it.
Inexpensive
A bicycle can cost just as much as a cheap cycling machine that you would use at home. If you’re willing to get outdoors and cycle in the open, then being a bicycle is much cheaper and more personalised than getting a gym membership, paying for expensive workout equipment, or paying for an instructor to help you lose weight. If you want a cheap way to lose weight and get fit, then nothing is as cost effective as cycling.
