One of my earliest memories was learning how to ride a bike when I was young. Riding one's bike is exhilarating, enjoyable and it keeps your mind clear all day. I biked most days of the week until my teens. We had a hiking trail near our house and I rode my mountain bike with my family. As I became an adult and entered the working world, I have less and less time for biking. Plus, moving into the city has afforded me no trails to ride my mountain bike unless I would bike on the roads with cars.
But that's not very safe, I thought. My next option was to enroll in a spinning class with my colleagues. The class was fun and we had a group discount. It was an amazing experience biking through the loud music. However, since the pandemic has started and our gym was closed I started to look for alternatives.
Cycling has been around for a very long time. It was introduced in the 19th century. Currently, it is approximated that a billion bicycles are in use around the whole world. It is both a form of exercise and a means of getting from point a to b as a means of transportation, and this versatility alone is all the more reason to ride a bike. Another benefit of riding a bike as transportation is easier parking and maneuvering. Some paths aren't accessible to cars or motorized vehicles that bikes could easily pass through. It is also very environmentally friendly.
There is no noise and air pollution when riding bikes. It also needs no fossil fuel, petrol, or any fuel to ride, except for electric ones. For those who are trying to save money, it is also a good way to keep the financial costs of transportation down. This is especially true for short to medium-distance destinations. For society and local governments, having more people who cycle for short distances instead of taking the car is advantageous because there is no long-term damage to roads.
Cycling is very easy on the joints so it can be enjoyed even by the elderly. Compared to walking, when you sit on your bike you put pressure on two pelvic bones called ischial tuberosities. This is good for those who have any age-related fitness in the back or joint pains. Apart from being good for stiffness, it also builds up bones, especially because as we age we tend to lose bone density. Any activity that incorporates resistance like pushing pedals while cycling pulls the muscles which pull the bones, and eventually all of these promote growth in the bones.
It could also be a great aerobic exercise to trigger your glands to release endorphins, a feel-good chemical that is naturally produced by the body. This is the reason why one feels clear, rejuvenated, and young at heart after cycling. It's great for your heart, blood vessels, and brain. These benefits carry over other everyday things we do, like how we balance, walk, stand, climb stairs, and lengthens our overall endurance.
For those who are training for the “gains” or muscles or if you just want to tone up your body for the summer, then cycling may be a good alternative with weight training for you. The primary muscles that are used in riding a bike are in the leg area. On the top of your legs right in front of your thighs is a group of muscles called quadriceps.
There is also a group of muscles at the bottom of your top leg called hamstrings. These are the muscles that are mainly used when you pedal and propel the bike forward. Apart from that, since these muscles are inactivity while you’re cycling, it also tones up your gluteus muscles which are your buttocks. This is because these groups of muscles are connected to your buttocks.
Generally, a person who cycles burns about 400 calories per hour. The amount of workout your body gets also depends on what kind of cycling you do or your level of experience in cycling. For beginners, a flat surface or a stationary bike will do. But mountain biking will also work other muscle groups like the upper body and the core- which is the middle part of your body including your abdomen.
Ideally, the recommended regimen would be 30-60 minutes for 3 to five times per week. Always start your cycling with a warm-up exercise. For five to ten minutes, keep your cycling pace slow then build upon that. You will notice that you are perspiring more as you pick up the speed. When you're down, delegate five minutes to cycle at a slower pace to cool down.
At FlexiSpot, there are options to do indoor biking equipment you can use while working or having a spinning session at the comfort of your home. First, you have the Sit2Go 2-in-1 Fitness Chair. It has a mesh support seat cushion and is height adjustable so you can comfortably work and cycle with zero to less injury.
You don't need to worry about having a sedentary life if you have this in either your office or home office. There is a built-in calorie tracker for a more customizable cardio exercise. It is also noise-free and pedals very smoothly so there is no risk of disturbing anyone in your proximity while you are keeping healthy.
The next one is the Home Office All-in-One Desk Bike or Bike Station V9. You can also cycle on it, but the difference is that it comes with a built-in desk where you can put your laptop on. It's very convenient and very stylish. The last one is the Under Desk Bike V90 or the Best Standing DeskMate. It is best partnered with any of the Flexispot Standing Desk. All in all, cycling is a very gentle way to keep active and healthy. Fortunately, FlexiSpot has made it possible for this to be enjoyed while indoors and working productively.
