Health Benefits of Road Bike Riding

Road bike riding has become a great alternative to driving a car or using public transportation. In fact, Sweden's capital of Stockholm, has special paths dedicated for road bikes throughout the city. Moreover, these paths are extensively used by the population as a substitute for cars and public transportation. Road bikes are great because they are the faster than other types of bikes. In fact, they have narrow tires and large-diameter wheels, which contributes to their speed. Additionally, they have an ergonomic design and are built to last. In addition, as described below, there are many health benefits to road bike riding. However, if you plan on using a road bike frequently, it is important to adjust the road bike to your body. This will make it safe for you to use the road bike and get the most benefits from using it.

Now, many of the benefits attributed to road bike riding are described below.

Low Impact Workout

First and foremost, road bike riding is a low impact workout. In fact, it causes less strain or injuries than many other workouts. However, it is necessary to pedal with caution so you don't get in an accident or fall off the bike.

Easy on the Joints

Second, because the seat supports your body weight, a road bike is easier on your back, hips, knees, and ankles.

Improves Joint Mobility

Third, the mobility of the knee and hip joints improves because of the smooth circular motion of the pedals.

Lower Body Workout

Fourth, a road bike gives you an excellent lower body workout. In fact, it targets your hips, glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves to make your legs stronger.

Builds Muscles

Fifth, cycling helps build quadriceps and hamstrings in the upper leg, as well as the gastrocnemius and soleus in the calf. Incidentally, when you ride a bicycle, the quadriceps and hamstrings do most of the work.

Builds Stamina

Incidentally, regularly riding a bicycle helps build up your stamina.

Improve Cardiovascular Fitness

Also, riding a road bike gives you a low impact cardiovascular workout to keep your body healthy. Furthermore, cycling is an effective aerobic activity that engages your lungs and heart. So, if you cycle frequently, you will have lower risks of getting cardiovascular disease or cancer. In addition, cycling prevents high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, and other similar health conditions.

Helps you Lose Weight

Now, regular use of the road bike can help lower your body fat composition. Which, in turn, helps your lose weight. Also, studies suggest that regular sprinting with a road bike and strength training may increase your metabolism and build/maintain muscles including lean muscles.. Which, in turn, allows you to burn more calories, even while at rest.

Reduce Stress

Cycling can help you reduce stress. In fact, cycling can lower the levels of your body’s stress hormone, cortisol. Furthermore, getting on your bike can relieve tension in your body. Meanwhile, those who regularly cycle or ride their road bike have a significantly lower risk of feeling stressed.

Also, any time you engage in workouts, your body releases endorphins, which give you relief from stress. Moreover, when you exercise outdoors, your body releases serotonin on top of endorphins that manage stress hormones. As a result, you stress levels go down and your mood improves.

Reduces Anxiety and Depression

Now, cycling releases our "feel good" hormones known as endorphins In fact, these hormones help relax your mind and make you feel happier. As a result, road biking boosts your mood and reduces your feelings of anxiety and depression.

Helps Reduce Cholesterol Levels

Studies, show that cycling has a positive effect on total cholesterol. In fact, it may boost HDL, the "good" cholesterol levels while lowering LDL the "bad" cholesterol levels, as well as triglyceride levels.

Improves Balance

Next, as you stabilize your body and keep your bike upright, you will improve your overall balance and coordination. Now, inactivity and aging can affect your balance. However, regular use of a road bike, will improve your balance. As a result, you are better able to prevent falls and fractures.

Improves Posture and Coordination

Finally, when you are on a road bike, with the handles in front of you, you are forced to keep your back straight as you look forward. In fact, the need to grasp the handlebars and pedal engages your body even if you are leaning forward. By the way, this position also strengthens your lower back muscles.

Meanwhile, riding a bike requires hand eye coordination to control the bike's movement with hands in response to what the eyes see.

However

However, you get the best experience with a road bike if you go on a bike trail surrounded by open spaces, trees, streams, etc. So, for those that have access to such trails should consider themselves very fortunate. On the other hand, others have to contend with less than ideal circumstances.  Consequently, they have to be cautious, which unfortunately takes road biking away from being the best experience. Meanwhile those living in a city have it the worst. May be for them, an exercise bike at home or in the local gym would serve them better.

Final Words

In conclusion, people use a road bike for many reasons. They use it as a means of commuting, for recreation, to get a workout, to stay active, or for competitive reasons. Regardless of the reasons you get on your two wheel road bike, you will enjoy the many health benefits, staying active, be in good physical and mental condition as well as a state of well-being.