April 2, 2022

Why is cycling a low-impact sport?

There are many different types of exercise that we can do to keep ourselves healthy, but not all exercises are created equal. Some exercises are better for our health than others, and some exercises carry a greater risk of injury.

In this article, we will be looking at the benefits of cycling as a form of exercise, and why it is considered to be a low-impact activity.

What Is Low Impact?

When we talk about impact in relation to exercise, we are referring to the amount of force that is placed on our joints when we are carrying out the activity.

High-impact activities, such as running or jumping, can place a lot of strain on our joints, which can lead to injuries such as joint pain, tendonitis, and stress fractures.

Low-impact activities, on the other hand, put less strain on our joints and are therefore considered to be safer for our bodies. Cycling is considered to be a low-impact activity because it is a weight-bearing exercise that does not put excessive force on our joints.

Cycling Is Low Impact – Facts

There are many different types of exercise that we can do to keep ourselves healthy, but not all exercises are created equal. Some exercises are better for our health than others, and some exercises carry a greater risk of injury.

In this article, we will be looking at the benefits of cycling as a form of exercise, and why it is considered to be a low-impact activity.

Cycling is low impact. This means that it is not strenuous on the joints or bones and therefore causes less wear on the body. This is why it is so popular with individuals who have medical conditions and older adults since it is not as physically taxing as other forms of exercise.

Here are some of the top facts connected to cycling being low impact:

Leg Strength:

The leg muscles are one of the largest muscle groups in the body and so they will be strengthened by cycling. This is a benefit because they will help to burn more calories and to improve balance, coordination, and flexibility. The calves and thighs are two of the biggest muscles in the body and these will get stronger by pedaling a bicycle.

Muscle Strength:

The quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, upper arms, chest and abdominal muscles are all strengthened during cycling. There is also a transfer of strength from one muscle group to another during cycling which leads to an overall increase in muscle strength. For instance, increasing the strength of the quadriceps will improve the strength of the glutes and hamstrings which are used when pedaling a bicycle.

Ideal for beginners:

Cycling is low impact so it is ideal for beginners and those who have medical conditions that do not allow them to participate in more strenuous forms of exercise. This is because there is no impact on the joints or bones so it causes less wear and tear on the body. It also helps with weight management since it burns more calories than walking does per unit time.

Core Workout:

The abdominal muscles are strengthened when cycling since this helps to stabilize the upper body while you are pedaling a bicycle. Therefore, you will be able to see improvements in your posture and in your body's overall alignment as well as improved balance and coordination over time as you build stronger core muscles.

Helps with Cancer:

Regular exercise reduces stress levels which can help to reduce the risk of cancer. It also improves immune system function which can help fight off cancer cells. Cycling has been shown to reduce depression levels which can also help to protect against cancer since stress can lead to depression which will lower immune system function over time. Finally, regular exercise improves liver function which can help eliminate toxins from your body including those that may cause cancer if left untreated for too long.

Medical Conditions:

Cycling is low impact so it can be a great option for those who have medical conditions that affect their ability to do strenuous forms of exercise like running or high impact aerobics classes at the gym. It causes less wear on the joints and bones so it is easier on the body overall than some other forms of exercise like running or high intensity cardio like kickboxing or Spinning™ classes at the gym.

Improves Balance, Posture, and Coordination:

The upper body is strengthened when cycling so it improves balance, coordination, and posture. This is because it strengthens the core muscles which help to support the upper body and which also help to stabilize it while you are pedaling a bicycle.

Low Impact Option:

Cycling is low impact so it is an option for those who have medical conditions that prevent them from doing other forms of exercise like running or higher impact forms of cardio like kickboxing or Spinning™ classes at the gym. It causes less wear and tear on the joints and bones than running does so it is better for your body overall.

Mental Health:

Regular exercise lowers stress levels which improves mental health over time since stress can lead to depression, anxiety and other mental health issues. It also helps to improve mood and to increase self-esteem since you will be more likely to enjoy life if you feel physically fit and healthy overall.

Morning Routine:

Depending on your schedule, you can use cycling as a form of transportation to work or school and then use it as a way to workout, too. This makes cycling a convenient form of exercise since you can do it in the morning before work or school starts and then again after work or school ends in the evening. In this way, you could replace your car ride with a bike ride and still get your exercise in each day which will help you to lose weight, boost your immune system function, and get your blood pumping each day.

Weight Management:

Cycling is low impact so it is good for weight loss since it burns more calories than walking does per unit time. You could bike to work instead of driving and still burn more calories than if you had been sitting in a car all that time. If you live far from work or school and don't have access to public transportation, then cycling is an option for burning off extra calories each day since it will help you to lose weight over time even if you only do it once a day for 20 minutes at a time.

Boosts Immune System:

Regular exercise boosts immune system function so that you are less likely to get sick when outside in cold weather or when around people who are sick with the flu or other illnesses. Cycling is an aerobic exercise which means that increases the flow of oxygen through your body which boosts immune system function over time as well as heats up your body which helps to kill off germs that may be circulating in the air around you due to cold weather or infections like the flu that are going around at that time of year.

Lung Health:

The lungs are strengthened during cycling so it is beneficial for lung health since it makes them work better over time by strengthening them through regular exercise. The lungs will also be able to provide more oxygen to the rest of the body over time as they become stronger through regular exercise like cycling since they are responsible for supplying oxygen to all the cells in the body. This means that your whole body will benefit by getting more oxygen through your improved lung function over time.

Low Impact Cardio Workout:

Cycling is low impact so it is a great way for beginners to get started with aerobic exercise since it does not put strain on the joints or break bones like some more strenuous forms of exercise might do for people who are just starting out with an exercise routine. It also helps with weight loss since it burns more calories than walking does per unit time so it can help you to lose weight over time even if you only do 20 minutes at a time during your morning routine or after work each day. In this way, you can replace your car ride with a bike ride during the week which will save money on gas, save time in traffic, and improve your overall health at the same time.

Hand Cycling and Health:

Hand cycling is great for people with arthritis or other conditions that have made it difficult for them to do other forms of exercise like running or aerobic classes at the gym. It is low impact so it is easier on the joints and bones than running or high intensity, high impact classes at the gym. It also helps with weight loss since it burns more calories than walking does per unit time so it can help you to lose weight over time even if you only do 20 minutes at a time during your morning routine or after work each day. In this way, you can replace your car ride with a hand cycle ride during the week which will save money on gas, save time in traffic, and improve your overall health at the same time.

Conclusion