Are you ready to start cycling? Did you know that it’s one of the best ways for you to burn through fat? At the same time, it can also help you to preserve or even build your core, shoulder, and lower body muscles. That’s right, your stationary bike or regular street bicycle is doing a lot more for your body than you know.
All too often when we talk about getting active, taking on a cardio workout, or exercising to burn fat, we think of jogging or running. Some of us even think about swimming. All too often, cycling is overlooked.
It may seem as if there is always a new fitness trend, but cycling may be the answer to building your muscles and losing more weight. You may not have ever considered cycling, as a lot of people do not. For many, it’s a matter of not having the equipment to do it. Brand new bikes with all the bells and whistles can be quite expensive. However, a basic bicycle or a second-hand bike in good condition can be far more affordable.
The next thing that may be holding you back from getting into cycling may be that you haven’t done it in a long time. Or, perhaps you’ve never really ridden a bike in your life. This can make the practice seem intimidating. After all, it requires balance while traveling at a pretty good speed. Yes, it does take a bit of practice, but you’ll be surprised at how little balance it needs. It’s more a matter of learning to get going and how to steer. Once you’re moving, the balance sorts itself out naturally without any effort from you. Give it a try!
There are a lot of misconceptions about this form of exercise, but it’s important to work through these fallacies. This is not an easy workout, even if some people think it is. This is the type of workout that nearly anyone can do, and it can burn some major fat in the process. If you have never tried cycling before, then there is truly no time like the present.
What makes cycling the answer to building your muscles and losing more weight is the way it makes your body work. You are sitting on the bike seat, but you are working hard with your legs. Whether you are in a gym on a stationary bike or you are outside riding your bike, you are burning some serious calories. Losing weight comes easily as this is a very high-intensity cardio workout. This means that you are going to burn fat and calories. You are going to boost your metabolism, which means that you are burning more calories even at rest. The harder you push yourself, the easier it will be to lose weight as you burn calories and shed fat.
What you may not think about in terms of cycling being a way of building your muscles and losing more weight is the strength component. We tend to look at this as a purely cardio activity, but it’s also an excellent way to build muscles. You are using every part of your lower body, and these are not only huge fat burners but major muscle builders, too. You will tone your quads, glutes, hip flexors, calves, and every part of your lower half. You will also tone up your core as you work through this challenging workout. You will be amazed at how you replace the fat with muscle as you move through these highly challenging exercises.
If you have never considered cycling as a way of building your muscles and losing more weight, it’s time to do so. This is a great overall workout that gets it all done at once. You are sweating and working hard, so it satisfies the cardio component.
You are also working hard to build muscles and, therefore, add strength, tone, and muscle definition to the body. If you want to get it all done in one workout, then cycling is the way to go. You will feel it the next day, but that’s good because it means that the exercise is affecting your body in a healthy, profound way. Work hard and embrace cycling to experience all that it can do for your body.
Live in a place where storing or using a bike isn’t convenient? Is cycling outside just not your cup of tea, though you’d still like to reap the rewards? Though a stationary bike isn’t quite the same thing as heading outside, it’s similar.
Consider getting your own if you have the space for it and use it alongside some spin class videos to get your muscles moving and heart pumping. If you live near a gym with a spin class, see if you can give one a try to find out if it’s right for you. You may be surprised at how fun it is to push yourself to your limits and get a great workout at the same time!