When it comes to improving both mental and physical health and fitness, there are a lot of options for women. Activities such as dancing, walking, and jogging are great for fitness and can also help with relieving stress. But another form of exercise that is often overlooked is cycling. Cycling is ideal for women for many reasons. Below are just some of the benefits.
Helps with Weight Loss
Regular cycling helps women to lose weight. As part of a healthy diet and exercise program, it can help in shifting excess weight without putting too much strain on the body. As a low-impact exercise, cycling can be enjoyed by women of all ages.
Strengthens Muscles
As well as helping women to lose weight, regular cycling helps to strengthen muscles and tone the body. Furthermore, it can help to minimize the appearance of cellulite in the lower body. Despite what many people think, cycling is actually an all-over workout and does not just target muscles in the lower body. As well as giving the leg muscles shape and definition, cycling can also strengthen arm muscles and give the abs a workout too.
Improves Mental Health
Cycling can help to reduce stress and improve mental wellbeing. As with most exercises, cycling encourages the brain to release endorphins, which are the body’s feel-good hormones. When these hormones are released, stress levels are reduced. This then helps with mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.
Improves Physical Health
Cycling is great for physical health too. Those who are physically active have a lower risk of developing a variety of conditions, including breast cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Regular cycling will also reduce the risk of obesity and osteoarthritis, two conditions that are common in women, particularly after the menopause.
Incorporating Cycling into Your Exercise Routine
If you are interested in cycling, there is no time like the present to get started. The benefits to mental and physical health are the perfect reason to start, and you can get the whole family involved. According to the folk at Woom, many women are enjoying cycling with their kids as it gives them the chance to bond over an activity that they can both enjoy. With a vast selection of lightweight kids’ bikes and similar versions for adults, there is no reason why the whole family can’t enjoy this fun and beneficial exercise.
If you have not cycled since you were a child, you should ease yourself into it. Although you are unlikely to have forgotten how to ride a bike, you might have forgotten how much effort it requires, particularly if you are intending to cycle up any hills.
You may want to start on some flat terrain and keep rides short initially. Even if you feel great after your first ride, chances are you are going to feel a bit sore the next day as your muscles get used to this new workout.
The great thing about cycling is that it is low impact, so it is unlikely to put major stress on your joints. But it can take some time for your muscles to get used to your cycles.
The thing to remember is that you should stay consistent to get the benefit of cycling. It may take some time before you notice any physical changes to your body, but the changes to your mental health and wellbeing are likely to be noticeable quicker.
To conclude, cycling is a fantastic exercise for women and is something that they can enjoy with friends or other members of the family. It has a positive impact on both mental and physical health and can even change your body shape.