Why You Should Start Biking Today
By All American Fitness
Biking is a great way to accomplish multiple goals at the same time, and it’s fun. Whether you choose to bike for physical, social or economic reasons, it’s always the perfect time for a ride. If you’re still not sure, read on for reasons you should start biking today.
COMBINE YOUR WORKOUT WITH YOUR COMMUTE
Just thirty minutes of cardiovascular exercise is enough to boost your mental and physical health. However, many people have trouble finding time to exercise daily. If you don’t ever seem to have time to work out in your busy schedule, biking is a great way to work it in. By combining your workout with your commute, you have already clocked in exercise time before even starting your day job. Biking home after work is a great way to release stress after a long day in the office. It is important to always wear protective gear when biking. According to Callaway & Wolf, hitting an open car door can be more dangerous than hitting the side of a car. Coming into contact with a car at all when biking can cause serious injuries and should be avoided.
IT SHARPENS YOUR MIND
Want help with your ability to focus and productivity while also increasing connections between brain cells? Hop on your bike! Biking to work will give you the exercise your brain needs to be alert, so you can be more productive. There is research showing that exercise helps us pay attention and focus on the task in front of us. Biking to work means you are getting a brain workout before sitting down to your job. Not only that, but biking helps improve your mental health. Mentally and physically, you are more prepared to work.
BETTER SLEEP
Sleep can be elusive in our world that never closes or turns off the lights. Being adequately tired before trying to sleep at night is important, and biking regularly can help you accomplish this. According to Coast Bike Share, biking to and from places will get you more exercise than you would otherwise. Exerting your body on a bike means that your muscles will crave sleep to recover, and clearing out your mind will help you fall asleep. People who exercise tend to see their circadian rhythms regulate, and they feel less anxious at bedtime due to the effects of exercise.
NEW FRIENDS
It’s easy to find like-minded people when you take up bike riding. Cycling clubs exist throughout the world, and making friends is easier when you know you have something in common with the people you’re around. Whether these friendships stay contained to the cycling club rides or extend to other parts of your life, they are beneficial. Strong relationships can benefit your health, which means biking is helping you out in a variety of wellness-related areas.
SAVING MONEY
Have you paid for gas lately or had maintenance on your car that left you shocked by the final bill? According to Strong Towns, biking can help alleviate those costs. While you need to buy protective gear and keep your bike maintained, biking is still much cheaper than owning a car. The money you save by biking can go towards paying off debt, used to go on a vacation or just sit in your savings account and collect interest. Whatever you do with the money, it will exist solely because you chose to bike instead of pouring money into a car payment, car maintenance, and gas.
There’s never a bad time to start biking. Find a cycling club, grab your gear and enjoy riding through life with the wind in your face and your senses stimulated by the feel of the world. Your body and your mind will thank you.