Cycling as exercise can be a great low-impact way to improve cardiovascular fitness (opens in new tab), increase stamina, burn belly fat (opens in new tab), strengthen the lower body and boost mental health. What’s more, the benefits are the same whether you are enjoying a ride outdoors, or on one of the best exercise bikes (opens in new tab) indoors.
“Cycling as exercise is a great way for all ages to get and stay fit, and train the cardiovascular system,” says chartered physiotherapist Damien Kelly, who works with professional athletes in Formula 1, golf and rugby and runs Physica Health Physiotherapy Clinic based in Surrey, U.K.
“It is low impact so it is kinder to joints than a lot of exercises, making it a good choice for beginners.”
In this article we look at the pros and cons of cycling as exercise, and find out more from Kelly about how an indoor or outdoor ride impacts our muscles, weight and knees.
Damien Kelly (MSc. MMT. MCSP. MACP. CSCS) is a specialist physiotherapist working in Formula 1, professional golf and pro rugby. He is also Director of Physical Health Physiotherapy Clinic (opens in new tab)based in Surrey, U.K. His areas of expertise include musculoskeletal injuries, sports performance, and rehabilitation.
Is cycling a cardio workout?
Cycling is not only a form of cardio workout, but one of the best, according to Kelly.
“It is primarily an aerobic, cardiovascular exercise, meaning it requires the heart and lungs to work hard to deliver oxygen-rich blood to the muscles in the lower limbs predominantly, so that they can do their job and propel the cyclist forward,” he says.
“This system is reliant on oxygen and it’s typically used in slower paced, endurance type efforts.
Cycling training can also be modified to have an anaerobic (opens in new tab) benefit, he continues. It increases the body’s ability to create and use energy to provide power without the presence of oxygen by burning glucose instead to form adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
“The anaerobic system is capable of producing lots of power very quickly but is not sustainable for long due to a build-up of lactic acid and other by-products,” Kelly explains. “This system is used in fast, high-power activities such as weight lifting, sprinting and cycle-sprints.
“To use the anaerobic system while cycling, you can train using short high effort intervals, do hill climbs, or increase the resistance for short periods on a stationary…
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