We all know how important staying fit and in good shape is for our health. If we don’t make the effort, we become prone to diabetes, heart disease and all sorts of other illnesses. Have you ever considered taking up cycling to stay in shape? It’s a great way to keep fit and have fun while you are doing it.
The best thing about taking up cycling for fitness is the fact that it is a fairly, easy form of exercise to master. Well, as long as you can ride a bike, that is. (If you don’t know how to ride a bike, don’t panic, it’s fairly easy to pick up.) Plus, it’s incredibly easy to fit into your daily life, unlike many other forms of exercise. You can’t kick box your way to work, but you can cycle there.
While there are many pros of taking up cycling, it’s important to realize that it will take you time to master the skills needed. However, by following this advice, you can make the process a little easier for yourself.
Buy a bike
If you don’t already have a bike, you will need to buy one. When it comes to buying a bike as a beginner cyclist, it can be hard to know what to opt for. You probably have lots of questions that need answering, such as the following: Should you get a road bike or a hybrid? How much should you spend? What material should your bike be made of?
To get the answers that you need, pop into your local cycling store and ask them for advice on choosing a bike. If you want to ride on other surfaces other than tarmac, such as grass, opting for a hybrid is a good option.
Get the right gear
The key to cycling success is having the right gear, such as a comfortable saddle. If you spend your time on your bike sat on a rock hard seat, the chances are that you are not going to enjoy it. However, if you invest in a gel saddle, you can make using your bike much more comfortable.
What you wear when riding your bike is important, as if you wear the wrong gear, you can end up being uncomfortable. You need to invest in some cycling leggings, as well as trainers and a helmet. To ensure that you stay warm while on your bike, these Marine Corps Sweatshirts could also be ideal.
Swap your car for your bike
Instead of leaving your exercise until you get home from work, why not get it done on you way to and back from your job? By cycling to work each day, you can significantly increase your fitness levels.
You might not like the idea of turning up at work all sweaty, but you can always get changed once you get there. If your office has a shower that’s ideal, as after a few minutes on your bike, you might be in need of a quick wash.
Build up to steep hills
Don’t make the mistake of attempting to tackle a steep hill when you first start cycling, you will need to build up to this. It takes a lot of leg strength to get up hills on a bike, so it’s important to give yourself time to build up your muscles.
As well as cycling, to help boost your muscle mass, it might be a good idea to hit the gym a couple of times a week. This will help to not only speed up muscle growth, but it will also boost your fitness levels.
Cycling is one of the best ways to stay in shape, as it can help with both fitness and muscle growth. As a beginner, becoming a competent cyclist can be a challenge, but it’s worth the effort, in terms of the health benefits.