Why I Love Cycling For Cardio
While I’m an avid weight trainer, I do certainly believe in having a well-rounded fitness routine. This means that cardiovascular training is part of my regimen. The fat-burning benefits of cardio and the positive effects on the heart and lungs make it an essential type of exercise. Of course, I want to enjoy it as well. For my money, cycling is the most enjoyable form of cardio and is my personal favorite.
One thing I really love about cycling is that it’s best done outdoors. When I get a chance, I like to get on my bicycle and enjoy the beautiful summertime weather. Living in Michigan, it’s great to get outside during the summer when you can. Cycling makes getting outdoors even better. It’s the fun of being able to get places rather quickly on a bike that makes me such a fan. With some basic cycling tips, you can get a great cardio workout.
The Growing Popularity Of Cycling
The Covid pandemic had a big impact on bicycle sales. I remember seeing stores sold completely out of them. Many people wanted to stay active in some way. With so many of us not working, and not working out at gyms due to closures, cycling became a favorite way to exercise.
Whether it’s done at home or outside, cycling is a great exercise to get the heart pumping and burn calories. In my case, biking outdoors is the way to go. The only downside is that I live in Michigan, so I can only do it for part of the year. If I want to do any cycling during the cold months, I’ll just do it at the gym as I don’t have a Peloton or other stationary bike at home.
Comparing Running And Cycling
The most common forms of exercise you’ll see people doing outside are running and cycling. Both have their pros and cons when comparing them to each other. Honestly, though, it comes down to personal preference on which one for you to do. You may even prefer a different form of cardio exercise entirely.
Advantages of Cycling
While running is an excellent exercise for getting into shape, biking has some advantages over it. The most obvious advantage of biking over running is that your joints won’t take as much of a beating. At least that’s been my situation. Running can be a bit jarring, whereas cycling is usually smooth sailing. One of my favorite things about biking is the ability to travel farther in much less time. This is great when you want to explore more of your surroundings.
Advantages of Running
Of course, there are also disadvantages to cycling when compared to running. One is that you need to spend money to purchase a bike and the safety equipment you should use while cycling. Another thing you get from running is bone remodeling, which makes them stronger. Biking isn’t going to give you this bone-strengthening advantage.
You Do You
Overall, it’s optimal to do multiple types of cardio for more all-around fitness. Even though I prefer cycling, there are times when I’ll go running outside or get on an elliptical machine at the gym. Boxing training with a heavy bag and a speed bag is an awesome workout as well. You have to do you, though. That’s what will enable you to stick with a routine to reach your goals or maintain your present level of fitness.
Finding Safety And Convenience While Cycling
One of the best cycling tips in my eyes is to find a bike trail to ride on. Sure, many roads now have bike lanes but it can still be a bit nerve-wracking to ride next to motor vehicles. You have to constantly have your head on a swivel as way too many motorists aren’t paying as much attention as they should be. What about the danger of drunk drivers as well? Either way, if you get hit by a car while on a bike, it’s not gonna go well for you.
I’ve ridden on sidewalks to avoid the road in the past. However, this isn’t usually that great either, though it depends on where you are. Sidewalks are more meant for walking and can be very uneven in spots. While they may be safer than cycling on a road, you likely won’t be able to keep the pace you would like.
Find A Bike Trail
By far, riding on a trail meant for cycling is going to be the safest and most convenient option. Finding a bike trail is important both for peace of mind while riding. The added bonus of riding on a bike trail is that they are usually in a nice natural setting so you can enjoy the scenery. You also shouldn’t have to stop very often, certainly not as much as riding on a normal road.
I like to go online to find the best bike trails in Michigan. You can do this no matter where you are to find the best options for trail riding.
In all likelihood, you aren’t that far from a nice bicycle trail. So many parks will have trails perfect for cycling on. These trails may be paved and meant for road bikes or made up of gravel or dirt for mountain bikes. With a hybrid bike, you can take advantage of both types of trails. A bike rack is definitely a worthy investment if you don’t live right next to one.
Finding The Right Bicycle For You
The most obvious item for you to go cycling is the bicycle itself. There are such a wide array of styles to choose from. These range from sleek-looking modern bicycles to ones that have a vintage look. Bicycles also have a great variety of price points. No matter what you’re looking for, there’s one out there for you.
Save Money With A Used Bike
If you are on a budget and don’t have a lot to spend you can opt to look for a used bike. The usual sites like eBay and Craigslist are going to be among the best places to look for a quality bicycle online. People may list them on Facebook as well. Of course, local classified ads and garage sales can be treasure troves for items like bicycles. You can find plenty of used bike shops as well. There’s even an app called Sprockets that specializes in buying and selling bikes and bicycle parts.
Go For A New Bike That Won’t Need Repairs
Opting to buy a new bicycle can give you peace of mind knowing it’s never been used and doesn’t need any repairs. Amazon is certainly the king of where to find anything online, including bicycles. If you’re looking for sites that are exclusively bicycle dealers you also have plenty of options. Finding the right one may save you money as some offer great deals. Of course, you can head to your local bike shop or one of the big-name sporting goods retailers such as Dicks Sporting Goods or REI.
There are pros and cons to choosing between a used or new bicycle. You may save money purchasing a used bike, but there’s a more likely chance that it needs repairs or will shortly. Buying a new bike is going to require more capital, but it shouldn’t require repairs for some time as long as you keep it in good shape.
Accessorize Your Ride
The best bike accessories will go a long way in making your biking safer and more enjoyable. You don’t have to overdo it, as there are only a few things that are absolute necessities for any serious riding.
Bike Helmets
A helmet really should be worn while riding to protect against head injuries from falling. It has to be considered an essential piece of equipment for any rider. I still see plenty of riders who don’t wear helmets, unfortunately. When you’re going fast, who knows what can happen. Just a small rock in the wrong can cause you to wipe out, and if you do hit your head on hard ground or pavement, the results can be devastating.
Water Bottles
Just about every bike has a water bottle attachment. If it doesn’t already have one, they are simple to install. Water bottles themselves are also easy to find and a must-have to stay hydrated. Of course, you may want to have fun with it and find more than just any water bottle as something unique.
Bike Pumps
A bicycle pump is also a requirement to keep your bike tires in optimal shape. Slowly they will lose air pressure and make a flat tire more of a possibility. Believe me, this is no fun to deal with. I recently purchased a small bike tire air pump that attaches to my bike as well. This is great to have in an emergency.
Handlebar Bags
Another thing I consider a must-have is a phone holder/handlebar bag. These take the place of a basket you might see on bikes from the past. They will attach to your bike with small velcro straps to stay in place. The best of these will allow you to check a map on your phone. You can put keys and small snacks in the bag for your ride.
There is a variety of other items you can use when you go cycling. They include bike locks, flashing lights for night riding, and attachable cargo racks.
Enjoy Yourself
Another great bicycling tip is to challenge yourself while still keeping it fun. I like to go at it with a brisk bike ride while still enjoying the scenery and slowing down from time to time to get some recovery before more intense riding. Another great thing about cycling is that you can coast for a bit if you need to and still continue moving.
