Why You Need To Try Cycling

Are you tired of running as your only form of exercise? Or perhaps you’d like to start exercising but you really hate running. Maybe you’d like to try something more thrilling but you aren’t really interested in sports of any kind. If this is the case, cycling might be for you. Cycling is an activity with loads of health benefits and it’s also extremely fun. All that you really need is a bicycle but if you want to get the full experience, you might want to invest in a few extra accessories that can make your cycling experience more pleasant and comfortable.

Health Benefits

Just as running and other forms of cardio exercise, cycling is great for cardiovascular health. Whether you’d like to ride slowly on a flat surface or work hard toward a steep incline, you can control your heart rate simply by pedalling slower or faster. The difference between running and cycling is mostly the level of pressure on the joints and muscles. By running on a hard flat surface, you’ll be putting more pressure on important joints such as your knees or hips. Shin splints are a common side effect of running on asphalt or concrete. With cycling, your joints don’t take as much pressure and you can focus on the muscles instead.

Just as with any form of exercise, cycling can be a great form of stress relief. Your body naturally releases chemicals called endorphins, which will make you feel good. In order to release endorphins, your body will need some form of physical exertion.

What Do You Need?

To get started with cycling, all that you really need is a bike. You can purchase all different kinds of bicycles such as mountain bikes, racing bikes, beach cruisers, and many other kinds. The type of bicycle that you should get will have to depend on the type of cycling that you’d like to do. If you want to explore all-terrain trails in the hills, you should get a mountain bike. If you’re more interested in working out, you should get a ten-speed bike and focus on riding in more metropolitan or suburban areas.

While a bike is technically the only thing that you need to get started, you should know that it’s a good idea to invest in some safety gear as well as some cycling clothing. You should definitely consider getting a helmet as accidents are unforeseen. When it comes to cycling, your comfort should always be a priority. It’s not hard to find affordable men’s cycling jerseys online and a good cycling jersey can keep you cooler and more aerodynamic than a regular shirt.

Cycling shorts are a great option if you’re looking for a way to keep your legs as light as possible while you ride your bike. Jeans and long pants can cause irritation and chafing so it’s a good idea to invest in some proper cycling clothing before you start cycling frequently.

If running isn’t for you, cycling might be. It’s a little more costly than running but cycling is an enjoyable activity that comes with plenty of health benefits.