By Ada Méndez
MiamiDadeHealth.com
Bike riding is a great way to control or reduce weight, as it raises your metabolic rate, builds muscle and burns body fat.
This kind of physical activity, especially when it’s done outdoors, constitutes a healthy, low-impact exercise that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from young children to older adults. It is also fun, cheap and good for the environment.
Riding to work, for example, is one of the most time-efficient ways to combine regular exercise with your everyday routine. All over the world, it’s estimated that one billion people ride bicycles every day for transport, recreation, and sport.
Some of the advantages of bike riding include:
- Low impact – it causes less strain and injuries than most other forms of exercise.
- A good muscle workout – cycling uses all of the major muscle groups as you pedal.
- Easy – unlike some other sports, cycling does not require high levels of physical skill, and it’s easy to learn.
- Good for strength and stamina – it increases stamina, strength, and aerobic fitness.
- A fun way to get fit – the adventure and buzz you get from coasting down hills and being outdoors means you are more likely to continue to ride regularly, compared to other physical activities that keep you indoors or require special times or places.
- Time-efficient – as a mode of transport, bike riding replaces sedentary time spent driving motor vehicles with healthy exercise.
