National Bike Month: Benefits of Biking

May is National Bike Month and, probably not coincidentally, it’s a great time of year to get on two wheels — it’s not too hot and it’s not too cold. But weather might not be quite enough incentive for you to go for a ride. In case you’re wavering, here are 4 benefits of biking that will get you back on the saddle.

Easy Exercise Biking is a low-impact way to workout. It’s easy on the joints while giving you a decent cardio workout it also works all your major muscle groups — making it a great way to tone up your entire body for summer. It’s so easy, you won’t realize that you’ve gotten an intense workout until you’re back home and ready for a nap. If you want to burn a lot of calories, kick it up a notch and you can burn as many calories in an hour of biking as you would an hour of running — and you’ll go a lot further doing it.

It Feels Good Biking releases dopamine — the neurotransmitter that makes us feel good. Biking has the power to improve your mood and relieve anxiety — it’s kind of like a natural antidepressant. It also gives you energy and reduces fatigue. It may not fix your problems, but for just 45 minutes on your bike, you may be a little happier for the day.

Brain Booster Getting your body moving gets your brain fit, too. But participating in cardio exercise, you’re increasing the blood and oxygen flow to your brain. Not only will you be keeping your body and brain fit, according to a study from the University of Illinois, you may also be fighting off age-related brain deterioration.

It Keeps You Young Just three 45 minute rides a week could make you almost a decade younger — biologically, anyway. King’s College in London studied the effects of cycling and found cyclists show fewer signs of aging than sedentary people. It also reduces the risk of heart disease,  type two diabetes and obesity. In addition to feeling younger, according to a study from the University of Valencia in Spain, Tour de France cyclists live an average of eight years longer than people who don’t bike. Get on your bike and ride to youth and health!

Just about everyone knows how to ride a bike but not everyone knows how good it is for your. Now that you’re armed with the knowledge of how biking can improve your life, get your bike out and prepped for a summer on two wheels!