Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is one of the major goals of life. Are you tired of working out in the gym and want to explore some other fun activities that can help you stay in shape? Well, why don’t you give cycling a try! Besides weight loss, cycling is known to have many other benefits for women. Keep reading to know how this fun activity can help you pedal towards your fitness goals.
Benefits of Cycling For Women
1. Increases Vitamin D Supply in the Body
Nowadays, most of our work is done inside the house, especially with the work from home lifestyle. And while UV rays are not good for your skin, studies show that they can help you get a boost of vitamin D if you go out cycling during the early hours of the day.
Vitamin D is an important component required by the body to absorb phosphorus and calcium in adequate quantities. In turn, these two nutrients help in the better functioning of the immune system and the healthy development of teeth and bones.
So even though the increase of vitamin D levels in the body is not one of the direct benefits of cycling for women, it is an important one.
2. Prevents Breast Cancer
One of the most common cancers among women is breast cancer. A study conducted by the National Cancer Institute suggests that physically active women have much less risk (around 12% less) of getting breast cancer. Breast cancer is more common in women after menopause. Gladly, the benefits of cycling for women reduce the risk of breast cancer effectively.
3. Keeps the Heart Healthy
A healthy heart is one of the most vital benefits of cycling for women. When you cycle regularly, your heart pumps blood more effectively and stays healthy, preventing heart attacks and strokes in the future.
4. Helps Build Endurance
Do you want to build up your stamina like an athlete? The benefits of cycling for women cover that too! However, unlike an athlete, you don’t have to spend hours working out to build your endurance when you choose cycling, just one to two hours a day are enough.
5. Puts Less Stress on Joints
If you have had a joint injury recently and are unsure if you can pull off intense workouts in the gym, cycling can be a great option for you. It puts much less pressure on the knee joints and works on your overall health. You can enjoy all the benefits of cycling for women without injuring your joints.
6. Helps in Muscle Strengthening
One of the best benefits of cycling for women is that all the muscles are involved. Hence, you get an overall muscle strengthening effect if you cycle every day.
7. Boosts Emotional Well-being
Cycling, like all other exercises, promotes the release of a neurotransmitter called serotonin. This enhances mood and regulates emotions. Besides, what’s a better feeling than the wind in your hair?
8. Help You with a Goodnight’s Sleep
Insomnia is common in women nowadays, especially because their hormones fluctuate due to the changing cycles. But it is seen that women who cycle daily for at least 30 minutes get to sleep better. Curing insomnia is one of the hidden benefits of cycling for women we love!
9. Pumps Up the Immunity
Pandemic or no pandemic, good immunity is a must. Boosting immunity is one of the significant benefits of cycling for women, making this activity even more attractive.
Are you wondering how cycling pumps up the immune system of the body? Well, it does so by increasing the production of white blood cells and antibodies, both of which are known for fighting germs. Sweating and heating up your body after cycling also helps in killing germs.
Also Read: Ayurvedic Immunity Booster Pros, Cons, Intake & More
10. Prevents Depression, Stress, and Anxiety
Benefits of cycling for women also include the production of good hormones like endorphin and adrenaline, known for elevating the mood. Women who cycle daily can fight stress, anxiety, and depression more effectively.
11. Improves Lung Health
Besides improving your heart health, the benefits of cycling for women also include maintaining good lung health. Cycling helps you fight pollution too, which is a bonus point for the lungs!
12. Helps You Stay Fit During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, some exercises may not be fit for women. However, you can enjoy cycling even in this phase of your life. In fact, cycling improves your cardiovascular fitness during pregnancy and helps with childbirth.
Also Read: Is It Normal to Have No Discharge in Early Pregnancy ~ Gynac’s Opinion!
13. Helps in Weight Loss
As we mentioned before, one of the most loved benefits of cycling for women is how it helps in weight loss. If you cycle for at least 30 minutes a day, you will soon be in great shape. Losing belly fat might take a little longer, but getting it with consistent cycling is possible.
Gym Cycling Benefits for Women
So far, we have discussed the benefits of cycling for women when done in the outside world, but what if it is done indoors? Below we have mentioned some gym cycling benefits for ladies. Have a look:
- Works on the lower body muscles and legs profusely
- Helps in effective weight loss
- An excellent method of interval training
- Safer compared to cycling on the road as you are less open to accidents
- Great for cardio fitness
If you are not very comfortable with the outside world or have a sun allergy, it’s best to do it inside the gym. The benefits are more or less the same. What matters is your comfort!
Final Word
As you can see, no matter where you do it, the benefits of cycling for women are incredible. Regularly indulging in it keeps your mind and body healthy. Besides, it’s never too late to start. Even if you are in your 50s, you can give it a go.
So when are you planning to give cycling a try? Are you going to cycle outside or inside the gym? We are excited to know!
References
- Louise-Ann Leyland, February 2019; The effect of cycling on cognitive function and well-being in older adults - https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0211779
- P Oja, August 2011; Health benefits of cycling: a systematic review - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21496106
