Many of us have heard about the health benefits of riding a bike. Being physically active is known to be good for your health, and if you’re lucky enough to be able to ride a bike then you’re in for a lot of fun. However, apart from the fun part, there is also the matter of keeping fit which we will discuss below.
Bikes Help You Lose Weight
In a nutshell, bikes help you lose weight. Just because your muscles are working hard while you’re biking doesn’t mean you’re going to eat more than before. Instead, the calories you consume while biking are mostly used to fuel the exercise. So, if you’re looking to shed some pounds, then bikes are for you. Let’s have a look at the various ways in which you can use your bike to lose weight.
Forced-Air Breathing
One of the best things about biking is the freedom of movement it gives you. While most of us sit in traffic jams, trying to get somewhere, you’re out on the road, happily riding towards your destination. That’s one of the reasons why we all love biking so much! It’s great exercise, it’s cool outside, and it forces you to get out of your comfort zone. But while all of this is great, it doesn’t mean you should go overboard and overuse your body’s natural cooling mechanism. After all, you’re going to get overheated and end up causing more damage than good. The solution? Use a helmet with a built-in fan. This will help cool you down while still allowing you to enjoy all the benefits of biking. Of course, you can also opt for a sun shade to keep from over-heating in the sun or a cycling cap to keep your head cool in the wind. Just make sure that whatever protective gear you use, it fits snugly. Excessive movement within the helmet could lead to discomfort or a headache. If you’re worried about weight loss then consider using an in-line skate brake instead of a hand-brake. Inline wheel brakes are known to be more efficient than hand-brakes because they’re closer to the center of gravity. This makes them less likely to overheat. Furthermore, some people claim that using hand-brakes can actually slow you down because the extra effort required while braking wastes more energy than usual. So, in line with your weight loss goal, opt for the efficient hand-brake instead!
Apart from helping you shed those unwanted pounds, bikes also offer you another advantage. Thanks to their structure, bicycles are able to withstand high speeds. The faster you go, the more energy the tires produce. So, if you’re not looking for a leisurely bike ride, then you might want to opt for something a little more exciting. How exciting? Well, let’s just say that a full-suspension mountain bike can reach speeds of up to 40 miles per hour. That’s absolutely insane! In comparison, your average bike can reach speeds of up to 25 miles per hour. So, if you want to lose weight but you’re feeling a little sluggish, then consider getting a professional bike tune-up. A reputable bike shop will know how to make sure that your bike runs as efficiently as new again. With a little bit of knowledge and some cheap synthetic oil, your bike will be hitting the road with a smooth ride again.
Riding In Style
Last but not least, we have style. Bikes are cool because they allow you to sport some cool accent colors or graphics. Just make sure that the style of biking you adopt is suitable for the weather you’re in. The bad news: some people claim that brightly colored bikes are more aerodynamic and, therefore, more efficient than black bikes. The good news: you can still sport your beloved dark shades if you want!
So, if you’re looking to sport some style while losing weight, then consider getting a bike. It might be expensive, but it’s worth it. You’ll have the exercise you need, the cool weather you want, and the style you deserve.