Research shows that cycling regularly reduces the risk of coronary heart disease by 50% and may reduce cancer risk. In 2020, bike sales, usage, and repairs increased dramatically.
If you are considering a new healthy habit, AXA Health Junior Physiologists Lauren Davenport and Anna Fountain explain why and how to make cycling a great addition to your routine.
Cycling and your health
Adding cycling into your routine is a great way to improve your physical and mental health. It doubles up as transport, so it is one of the most effective ways to get your recommended 150 minutes of weekly activity, without drastic changes to your routine.
Let's take a look at some key health aspects relating to cycling:
Weight loss
It's difficult to pinpoint an exact figure on how many calories you can burn during a cycle. But cycling for a hour a week can range from 440kcals for someone weighing 55kg and up to 1080kcals for a 90kg cyclist.
Helps core strength
Cycling is ideal for strengthening a lot of areas of the body. It’s a full body cardio workout and combines strength training, as well as being low impact – so it’s easy on the joints. It's not only the legs that get a workout, cycling strengthens the whole posterior chain (so the whole back side of our body), including hamstrings, glutes and the back which is particularly good for those who have a desk job.
Effects of cycling on mental health
Taking in your surroundings and stopping to appreciate the moment, in other words mindfulness, can easily be undertaken when cycling and can do wonders for your mental health.
It’s not only the outside that can reduce stress levels and have a calming effect, exercise itself boosts positive brain chemicals such as dopamine and endorphins; as well as serotonin which can help relieve depression, often caused by low levels of this chemical.
Cycling is also something you can do solo or as a group – for those who perhaps suffer with social anxiety or don’t like gyms, cycling may be a great choice; but then has the ability to be group-based if you need the support of others.
Environmental benefits
With thousands more taking to the roads on their bikes for the morning commute, the effect on the environment can only be positive with a reduction in cars and therefore a reduction in air and noise pollution.
According to the British Heart Foundation “more than 160,000 could die in the UK over the next decade from strokes and heart attacks from air pollution.” When this is compared to the fact there are 28 million cars on the road in the UK, which is contributing to 22% of all carbon dioxide emissions, this figure seems more reasonable.
Top cycling tips and how to stay motivated
Be prepared - make sure your bike is appropriate for use, and you have all the equipment that you might need for your journey including: appropriate clothing, a helmet, bike lights, a repair pack, and ensure you know how to ride safely. For more information visit these links: choosing the right bike for you, puncture repair, and how to perform a bike check.
Test your route - roads are quieter on weekends and you can estimate how long your journey will take. Also use the route planner linked above to plan a ‘quiet’ route.
Facilities at work - find out if your office has bike storage and shower facilities. Wearing active wear for your cycle and taking spare clothes to work to change into is also an option to make you more comfortable.
Find a friend - you may already know someone who regularly cycles who could help add more enjoyment and motivation. You could ask them to meet you somewhere along your route to help increase your confidence. They may also give you some tips about which route to take and which junction to avoid.
Start small - if cycling the whole distance to work seems daunting, you could take the train or drive part the way there and cycle the rest or consider cycling in a couple of times a week at first, gradually increasing your confidence. If you are a beginner, start with a few short cycles a couple of times a week, leaving rest days in between, then slowly start to increase the length of your rides.
There are so many benefits to cycling. No matter what your reason, remember why you started and keep going.
References
BritishCycling.org. (2020). Commuting.
Celis-Morales et al. (2017). Association between active commuting and incident cardiovascular disease, cancer, and mortality: prospective cohort study. British Medical Journal. 2017; 357:j1456.
CycleScheme. (2018). How to start cycling if it has been a while.
CyclingUK.org. (2020).