If you are one of those who have resolved to change your lifestyle to stay fit and healthy, then you can try cycling as a form of exercise. Unlike weight training and running, which typically stress your ankles and other muscles, cycling is a low-impact exercise that burns as many calories as twice as much as hitting the gym. Regular cycling strengthens your muscles. The stronger the muscles, the better and faster your legs and hips work, helping your body burn more calories while cycling.
To get optimal results in your cycling, you may want to supplement exercise with a healthy diet containing more vegetables and lean proteins. Also, experts advise riders to eat a healthy breakfast before a ride and never skip meals. Starving the body of food causes a person’s metabolic process to hold onto more fat instead of using and burning them. Experts also suggest that during long rides, the rider is advised to take short breaks and have snacks. This not only provides energy but also prevents cravings that result in more unhealthy eating after a ride.
You may also find that following a training plan for your cycling program can help you stay fit and healthy. An experienced rider suggested a bike plan that allows you to ride at a variety of speeds and intensities. For example, you can plan your bike routes, from fun in the park on one set day to cross training on another.
You may want to start with an easy intensity to speed up your bike such as riding 8-12 mph. It’s an almost effortless pedaling with only light tension in your legs. You may also experience steady breathing, but not the huffing and puffing that is typically experienced with vigorous exercise.
Bicycling at a moderate pace means you’re riding at 12 to 16 miles per hour. At this rate, there will be more tension in your legs and your breathing will be heavy. Heavy breathing expands the lungs and allows more oxygen into the body which actually helps in burning body fat.
When you feel you are confident enough, you can go faster at a harder intensity of 16 to 20 mph, but remember not to stay within this pace until your legs and lungs are at maximum capacity. are working
As with any exercise, experienced riders advise cyclists not to forget to warm up and stretch before going for a ride on the road. These exercises will prevent muscle injury and condition the body for riding.
Source by Joan Bishop Denizot
