The prospect of cycling can be tough at this time of year. For most of us in the Northern Hemisphere, the temperatures have dropped, the seasons have changed, and there may even be snow on the ground.
Thankfully, virtual cycling platforms like Zwift can keep us entertained and motivated in the winter, and that’s more important than you might think.
Of course, cycling makes you more aerobically fit, and it’s a great way to connect with friends. But cycling has an even bigger impact on your physical and mental health than that. In this column, we’re going to run through our top 10 ways that cycling improves your physical and mental health.
1. Cycling is a low-impact exercise perfect for all ages
As a non-weight-bearing activity, cycling is one of the safest and most effective forms of exercise for people of all ages. From children to adults and the elderly, you can get many of the same physical health benefits from cycling as you can from weight-bearing exercises such as running.
One study found that just a few weeks of non-weight-bearing cycling helped improve lower-limb power and strength in older adults. Most older adults struggle with running and other weight-bearing activities which can result in a variety of acute or chronic injuries. Cycling, on the other hand, presents a much lower injury risk whilst providing many of the same potential benefits.
However, cycling, as a non-weight-bearing activity, does not increase bone density, which is especially important for older adults. We recommend older […]
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