Bike Week, 30th May - 5th June

This year, the theme of Bike Week is health and wellbeing. The importance of not just our physical health, but also our mental health and wellbeing has become more prevalent after the recent and ongoing situation surrounding Covid-19.

Cycling remains a great way of staying active, keeping fit and is widely accessible. You can adjust the exercise to suit your lifestyle and ability, whether it be on a stationary bike in the gym, using a road bike or mountain/off-road cycling.

Cycling UK is holding a virtual #7daysofcycling challenge, which is an amazing opportunity to get friends and family involved and enjoy the outdoors. Why not take on a new challenge and try some local routes?

There are many reasons to give cycling a try, some of the benefits include:

Low Impact and Strengthens Joints
Cycling causes less strain on weight-bearing joints such as the hips, knees and feet compared to other forms of exercise such as running, which can cause repeated impact. Also, during cycling, the joints move through their full range of movement, which increases the amount of synovial fluid lubricating the joints.

Maintain a Healthy Heart
Regular cycling stimulates and helps to improve your heart health, along with your lungs and circulation which can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. It can also strengthen the hearts muscles, lowers the resting pulse, and reduces blood fat levels.

Lowers Stress and Improves Sleep
During cycling as blood is pumped around your body at a greater rate, this increases the spread of positive biological chemicals such as endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin. It also reduces the levels of cortisol in the body which is the stress hormone and can relieve tension resulting in better quality sleep.

Flexible
One of the reasons why cycling is enjoyed by many is because of how simple and easy it is, it doesn't require a high level of physical skill and once the skill is learned, most remember it for life! You can also cater the workout to suit each individual, whether you're a beginner starting on a low intensity, or an advanced user seeking a demanding workout.

ExploringYour Local Area
If you prefer cycling outdoors in the fresh air, it can be a great way to explore your local area and find routes, parks, and open areas. There are also apps that you can download which show you nearby cycle routes and include details such as the terrain and difficulty and allow you to track your progress. Two popular ones include Strava and Komoot.

Whether it be in the gym, or out for a ride with the family, cycling is not only effective but can also be a lot of fun! Book a gym session now via the app and take part in #7daysofcycling.

You can also find out more information about Bike Week 2021 by clicking here.