Bicycling is a great way to see the outdoors, take in the fresh air, and get some exercise. It is also an efficient way to burn excess calories, shed body fat and improve cardiovascular health.
The motion of bicycling, especially uphill and high intensity cycling, is a great way to develop muscle and burn fat. As muscles of the legs work, they become stronger and more developed.
The best part of developing more muscle is that it not only makes the body look leaner and stronger, but it raises your resting metabolic rate. The higher your resting metabolic rate, the more calories you will burn even at rest.
Bicycling also works to strengthen the core region of the body, including the abdominal and back muscles. A strong core is essential for good balance and posture, and is beneficial for activities of daily living such as lifting groceries, carrying kids and doing household chores.
If weight loss is your objective, than cycling can be very beneficial for you too. A gradual weight loss of approximately one pound a week is a wise goal for people wanting to lose a few pounds.
This gradual weight loss goal helps maintain muscle tissue and will greatly increase your chance of long term success. Individuals who lose a great deal of weight quickly, often through deprivation-type diets, are very likely to regain the pounds within the first year.
Eliminating or burning 3500 calories will result in a weight loss of one pound. A one hour bicycle ride burns approximately 500 calories, which means that if you ride daily you can lose a pound a week.
In order to become a successful rider, you must practice good habits on and off the bike. There are several way to develop yourself while not on your two wheels.
Weight training two to three times a week will not only make you stronger, but it will increase your cycling balance and endurance. Since bicycling focuses on the muscles of the lower extremities you need upper body exercises to eliminate any imbalance in muscle strength. .
Another benefit of weight training is that it helps develop increased bone density. Cycling is not a weight-bearing activity, which is good for your joints, but not so good for your bones, which benefit from weight training exercises.
A strong core is the key to preserving a healthy back, and is the foundation of strength for a strong rider. If your only strength workout is one that focuses on your core muscles, this alone could improve your riding.
Food is fuel for your body, so you need to provide your body with adequate fuel for your ride, even if your goal is weight loss. The best form of food will come from complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
Plan to eat a high carbohydrate snack about an hour before a ride. This will give you the energy to keep going strong and burning calorie, while providing your muscles with adequate energy.
You will also find that having good kinds of food on hand and convenient for snacks and meals, will make better decisions when it comes to diet. By only having good foods at home, you will be more likely to avoid the types of foods that will only set you back a couple of steps in your diet.
The key to a healthy diet is increasing whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Eating these foods in healthy proportions will support the loss of extra pounds while fueling your body on cycling excursions.
The point of all this is that you can make big gains in your cycling in ways other than simply riding your bike more. By eating wisely, working on strength training and developing your body's core muscles, you will actually be doing a lot to make riding you bike that much better for you.
In time, cycling will help you to feel stronger, leaner and more positive about your body. If you continue with daily activity and healthful eating, you will have a better, healthier lifestyle.
Author Resource:-
Ignacio Lopez is a personal trainer and has authored hundreds of articles relating to physical training and spinning bike. He has been a health expert and physical trainer for over 15 years.
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