CYCLING THE IDEAL WAY TO KEEP FIT

If you want to lose weight by cycling, you will find pedal power great fun. It’s challenging, sociable and offers a great workout, with many local clubs to join.

Suitable for everyone, any age or level of fitness, cycling helps weight loss as it burns calo-ries, improves health and gets you out and about. What a great way to get out in the fresh air and help your weight loss goals!

THE BENEFITS OF CYCLING

• You will lose fat and burn calories by increasing heart rate, helping to achieve your weight loss goals

• Cheap and pollution free, cycling burns calories and you’ll lose weight.

• Cycling improves health.

All round fitness, along with strength and endurance are increased as cycling exercises the major muscle groups in the legs: the quadriceps, glutei, hamstrings and calves.

Pedal power is low impact and takes the weight of the body, so for many people who cannot do high impact sports because of the pressure it puts on their joints, such as running, cy-cling is a great alternative.

You need no special training! If a sport is complicated, you may not take it up. Most of us can already ride a bike - and as the saying goes, once learnt you never forget!

Go it alone or make cycling a sociable event, whatever you do your bike will get you out and about and you’ll enjoy it!

HOW WILL CYCLING IMPROVE MY HEALTH?

When cycling for health, exercise can be maintained for a long period of time without your leg muscles getting too tired, although you may feel the burn! Your heart and lungs get a solid workout which is excellent for improving your cardiovascular fitness levels.

As your heart and lungs get stronger you will be able to more efficiently transport oxygen around the body which is the key to a high level of fitness. Your resting pulse rate will de-crease as will your blood fat levels and blood pressure. All of these combined will reduce your risk of heart disease.

Cycling for 30 minutes just 2-3 times a week will help with all other aerobic exercises too and reduce the chances of you having to stop your activity to get your breath back, and again improve your weight loss.

Before you know it a 10k bike ride will be a great hour out of the house rather than a chore! Let today be the day you take to the bike!