National bike week is here and there’s no better time to get out, riding your bike. Cycling is a fun activity for the whole family to get involved in. Whether you’re an experienced cyclist or enjoy the more leisurely rides, cycling is a great form of exercise with incredible benefits. In this blog, we’ll help you discover the benefits of cycling to encourage you to get out there and cycle more.
Health Benefits:
Cycling is a fantastic way to stay fit and healthy. Cycling just 3 times a week, around 2-4 hours, is enough to improve your general fitness. Here’s some of the health aspects that cycling can improve:
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Muscle Strength: Cycling uses a lot of our major muscles. It engages our legs, core, and even our upper bodies which helps to improve muscle strength and improve flexibility without putting too much strain on your joints or muscles.
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Cardiovascular Health: Regular cycling can strengthen your heart, lungs and circulation. It can reduce your risk of cardiovascular diseases and improve the overall health of your heart.
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Stamina: The more you cycle, the more you’ll notice an increase in your stamina and endurance. This means you’ll have more energy for activities and less fatigue.
Impact on Mental Well-Being:
Cycling isn’t just great for your body, it’s also great for your mind and a fantastic way to improve your mental health. Here’s why…
- Stress reduction: Cycling helps to release endorphins which help to relieve stress. It’s a great way to clear your mind and reduce anxiety and stress levels.
- Improve mood: The physical activity involved in cycling helps to stimulate the production of serotonin and dopamine, chemicals in our brain that improve our mood and make us feel happier. Our mood can be increased even more by cycling outdoors and enjoying the beauty of nature.
- Better sleep: Taking part in regular exercise, such as cycling, can help you fall asleep faster and enjoy deeper sleep. This can also help to improve our overall health and well-being as we get more rest.
Environmental Impact of Cycling:
Choosing a bike over a car can have significant positive impacts on the environment, helping to reduce air pollution and make our planet a better place to live. Here’s how cycling can contribute to a healthier planet:
- Less air pollution: By choosing to cycle rather than drive, you’re helping to reduce air pollution. Approximately 5.2 million car trips would be saved over a year, which would have a massive positive impact on the levels of air pollution.
- Reduced CO2 levels: Bikes produce zero emissions, unlike cars. By choosing a bike over a car at least once a day, you can help to reduce carbon emissions by 67%!
- Less noise pollution: Bikes are a lot quieter than motor vehicles such as cars or motorbikes. Cycling helps to make the environments more peaceful and means there is less disruption for animals and habitats too.
Additional Benefits of Cycling:
- Cost-effective: Bikes are fairly low maintenance to upkeep. You can save money on fuel, parking and maintenance while investing in your health!
- Time-efficient: You can save yourself time on the school runs by cutting out the faff of finding a parking spot or sitting in traffic.
Our top bike recommendations:
Ammaco Classique Dutch Lifestyle Bike – WAS £499.99, NOW £299.99 (LIMITED TIME ONLY)
The Ammaco Classique Dutch style bikes are a timeless blend of elegance and functionality. Featuring a sturdy, step-through frame, 26” wheels, swept back handles, and a chain guard. This bike is the perfect choice for anyone looking for a sophisticated, yet stylish, ride.
Ammaco Escape 26 inch Wheel mountain bike – WAS £369.99, NOW £219.99 (LIMITED TIME ONLY)
If you’re looking for a tough and durable mountain bike, that doesn’t cost a fortune, then the Ammaco Escape is the perfect choice. Mixing comfort with durability, the Ammaco Escape features front suspension forks, powerful v-brakes, and 21 shimano gears – it’s a great bike for any terrain, whether you’re tackling trails or enjoying a leisurely ride.
Cycling is a great activity for the entire family, helping to improve our health and contributing to a brighter, green planet for all. It’s all about getting outdoors and having fun. You can browse our large selection of adult bikes and kids bikes, either online or at your local Cycle King & Hawk Cycles’ store. Our expert staff are on hand to answer any questions you have and help you find the perfect bike, as well as recommend accessories and make any repairs to keep those wheels spinning.