Get Healthy by Cycling Around Town

Photo: skeeze from Pixabay

Walking more is a big step toward getting fit, but walking isn’t always the fastest or most convenient way to get from point A to point B. If you’re still itching for some activity, cycling might be just what you need.

Not only can cycling improve your health and fitness, but it’s also an efficient mode of transportation that can decrease the amount of time you spend sitting. Even if you bike for only a portion of your daily commute — or cycle to work just a few days per week — you’ll notice a big difference.

Cycling for Your Health

Cycling is an excellent opportunity to integrate low-impact, aerobic exercise into your fitness routine. If you’re just getting started or recovering from illness or injury, you can vary the intensity of your ride and still get a sound, whole-body workout.

Cycling helps manage your weight by raising your metabolic rate, building muscle, and burning body fat.

Regular cycling also gets your blood pumping, strengthens your heart, lowers your resting pulse, and helps prevent cardiovascular disease.

Since cycling exercises your whole body and is a low-impact exercise, it’s less stressful for your joints. Cycling also increases strength while improving balance and coordination.

You may also see improvement in your mental health because cycling tends to reduce stress and anxiety. Plus, being in the fresh air can alleviate some symptoms of depression.

Cycling to Save Money

Changing up your commute by cycling instead of driving can help you get fit physically, mentally, and even financially. That’s right, cycling to work could save you more than $1,000 per year. What could you do with that extra cash?

Think about it, the upkeep on a bicycle is far less than it is for a car. Plus, you don’t have to stop to fuel up a tank or get an oil change!

Cycling for Your Community

Did you know that cycling to work could change the world? If even a quarter of the world’s commuters switched to cycling it would save the world around $24 trillion by the year 2050! That’s not even considering the reduction of CO2 emissions or how much traffic congestion would be relieved.

Of course, those are long term goals. But, you can help your community right now by joining the It’s Time Texas Community Challenge. Sign up and help Plano win!

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