Explanation:
Disadvantages
- Nerve and artery compression
- Time
- Upper back pain/lower back pain
- Bone loss
<u>Nerve and Artery Compression</u>
Again, this is mainly a caveat for the hardcore riders who are doing tours and spend lots of time cycling over the span of many years.After a long period of time, some riders experience numbness and other negative effects from this. However, it is both reversible and avoidable.
<u>Time</u>
It takes time. Just getting ready can take time. By the time you’ve put your cycling clothes on and prepared your bottled drink, you’ve probably killed half an hour. And that’s not counting making sure your bike is ok. Then you take off. You can do a 20 minute or a two-hour ride. It all depends on how fit you are. Regardless, this takes time.
<u>Upper Back and Lower Back Pain</u>
With most bikes you must hunch over to ride. There is a constant motion to stay in that position. This can cause stress on the upper and lower back. As a result, there may be a tightness or pain.
<u>Bone Loss</u>
As mentioned previously, cycling is a low impact exercise, this can be a double edge sword. Cycling is bad for the bones. According to the New York Times, thirty-two male competitive bike riders were compared with the same age group who didn’t ride bikes.
Advantages
- Reduced cardiovascular disease
- Weight control
- Reduced stress
- Improved strength
- Improved lung function
- Low impact
- It’s cheap
- It’s sociable
- Good for the environment
<u>Reduced Cardiovascular Disease</u>
Cycling is the ultimate in cardio exercise. It is a low impact way to improve your heart rate.
With running, you’re pounding your feet and legs on the ground. Cycling doesn’t do that. You’re suspended.
So, whether you ride on the road or in the gym, you’re stimulating your heart without pounding your bones.
<u>Weight Control</u>
Cycling is a great way to lose weight. It burns calories without building a great deal of muscle. You’ll probably lose inches off your glutes, thighs, and waist.
It does, however, depend on what your starting weight is and how much exertion you put into it as to exactly how many calories you’ll burn.
<u>Reduced Stress</u>
Riding down the road is enjoyable. You’re not only exercising, but you’re breathing fresh air and seeing the sights. You can’t get this in a gym. Some mental problems cycling diminishes are:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Stress
<u>Improved Strength</u>
When it comes to increasing strength and stamina, cycling delivers an intense workout. Start with a twenty-minute ride. You’ll find you’ll continuously build up strength and power to double that in no time.
The beauty of biking is, that if you get weary, you just slow down. There’s no fixed or determined speed. Over time, you’ll find your strength increasing.
<u>Improved Lung Function</u>
Your heart and lungs will get stronger. You’ll be able to move air through your lungs easier. This increases your lung capacity. Lung volume will increase over 10% or more while cycling.
You’re taking in more air, so something has to blow it out. It actually helps your diaphragm push air through your lungs. In other words, cycling makes your breathing muscles work extra hard. This ultimately makes your respiratory muscles stronger.
<u>Low Impact</u>
Bicycling is a low impact. It takes all the weight off the body. Unlike running, with cycling, no pressure is put on joints. This is true for on-road biking or in gym biking.
<u>It’s Cheap</u>
There’s no gym membership to riding around the neighborhood. Once you have a bike and helmet, it doesn’t cost you anything to ride. If you just want to ride around town, you don’t need an expensive bike. You could actually buy one at a garage sale. If you want to go mountain biking, you might want to invest in a better, sturdier bike. It all depends on your needs.
<u>It’s Sociable</u>
You can bike with people. Meet up and bike to a coffee shop. Get your neighbors involved. It’s fun to bike with one person or a group. If you have kids, have them go with you. It can be a family outing. Because anyone can bike, everyone can enjoy it. Remember, once you’ve learned, you don’t forget.
<u>Good for the Environment</u>
You can exercise and do a good thing for the environment; that’s a killer combination.
Cycling is pollution-free. It doesn’t use carbon fuels or even electricity. It’s powered by you.
So, you’re not contributing to any problems with the environment. You could even put a basket on your bike and go to the store for small things. Exercise and errands at once – it’s done all the time.
<u>In Conclusion</u>
Whether you are out in the fresh air on a bike bath or cycling your way to work in the city, you’re going to reap benefits from spending time on your bicycle.
If you can’t take bike to work and don’t have time for a leisurely ride on weekends, you can find those same health boosts by joining a spinning class.
In the end, while no activity is absolutely perfect and without risks, bicycling comes pretty close.