Six reasons why you should incorporate cycling into your fitness routine

Cycling is a low-impact aerobic activity, which means that it works your heart, blood vessels, and lungs. We spoke with some of India's top health experts to understand more about the benefits of cycling, as it's simple to get started and ideal for everyone. What they had to say is as follows.

"Cycling is a terrific low-impact technique to burn calories while still being gentle on the joints." It can also assist beginners strengthen their leg muscles and improve their overall cardiovascular health. I am a big fan of doing cardio in indirect ways like riding because it is so much fun. We should begin slowly and gradually increase our skill level. We may also encourage our friends and family to ride bikes instead of driving vehicles to save money, save the environment, and improve our own health. Cycling isn't the be-all and end-all of exercise, but it is a fantastic method to make it effective and enjoyable!" Yash Vardhan Swami, a health and fitness guru, agrees.

6 benefits of cycling

1. Boosts Mental Health

Adults' well-being is improved by cycling outside, according to studies. "Cycling is quickly becoming one of the most popular sports for enhancing mental health. Cycling has been shown in numerous studies to help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It improves mood by releasing neurochemicals including serotonin and dopamine. Furthermore, the regular movement of pedaling has a relaxing impact on the brain, which enhances sleep quality," explains Kunal Mutha, a fitness fanatic and founder of Only Earth.

2. Aids Immunity

According to research, cycling for 30 minutes on a regular basis can assist you from getting sick. "Cycling helps activate your immune cells, particularly white blood cells, which aids in the battle against diseases and infection risk," says dietician Garima Goyal.

3. Aids Weight Loss and Improves Cardiorespiratory Endurance

Cycling on a regular basis improves your overall fitness and can help you lose weight. "In terms of cardiorespiratory endurance, cycling offers a significant advantage. It improves your cardiorespiratory endurance and allows you to exercise at a higher intensity for longer periods of time. This helps with weight loss right away because high-intensity aerobic exercises burn more calories. Furthermore, increased cardiovascular endurance means that your lungs work better, your blood volume grows, your resting heart rate drops, you pump more blood, and your body is more likely to use fat as an energy source, according to Aman Puri, fitness expert and founder of Steadfast Nutrition.

4. Everyone can use it

Cycling is a fantastic physical exercise for a beginner or someone recovering from an injury because the intensity can be adjusted. "Cycling is a weight-bearing activity. As a result, the cycling target audience includes both novices and serious competitors. Anyone who wants to be in shape can get on a bike and start pedaling. "Because this style of training is non-weight bearing, it is one of the safest workout options for people of all ages," says Deepak Rawat, fitness expert at Cult.fit.

Cycling is simple to include into your everyday life because it can be done indoors on a stationary bike or outside as a source of transportation. "Cycling is an excellent way to keep your weight in check while also improving your cardiovascular capacity, body strength, and endurance." Cycling is highly convenient for my clients when they travel for work or even on vacation. Cycling guarantees that all of my clients' basic fitness goals are accomplished in a comfortable manner. Cycling is one of the best workouts you can do to increase your health, and it should be a part of your training routine," says fitness expert Rohit Nair.

5. Helps to avoid medical problems

Cycling on a daily basis can help you keep active and avoid a variety of health problems. "I personally advise individuals to cycle for at least 20 minutes every day to minimize their chances of heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and obesity," says Dr Sunita Dube, founder of Medscapeindia and Aryan Medical Hospital.

6. Muscle Strengthening

Cycling enhances your muscles' general function while reducing joint stress. "I've been cycling for a long time. Cycling works out a vast range of muscles, including the quads, glutes, calves, and hamstrings, in addition to being an aerobic workout. Furthermore, speed riding requires core muscle engagement, which is quite healthy," says Seema Jindal Jajodia, cycling enthusiast and founder of Nourish Organics.