Are you worried that your favorite exercises put unnecessary strain on your joints? If so, consider bicycling! Bicycling offers many benefits including low impact on your joints, low barriers to entry, great sight-seeing opportunities, and excellent calorie-burning potential. Read on to learn more about how bicycling can help you get on the path to improved fitness.

Worried that you may not be fit enough to begin bicycling? We recommend that you begin slowly and ensure you can maintain good balance. Once you are proficient at short trips, you can expand the distance you travel each time you get on the saddle. As of writing this article, a man is journeying across the country while also endeavoring to lose over 250 lbs.

So far he has traveled just a fraction of the planned distance, however he has lost 60 lbs!1 If he could begin his journey at 560 lbs, chances are good that you can as well!

Bicycling can also be a great sport for those with aching joints. The low-impact nature of bicycle pedals reduces stress on overworked knees while still permitting a healthy work-out. According to Dr. Well, cycling can help strengthen knee muscles without traumatizing the knee joints.2 If you keep your speed above 10mph, you can burn a surprising number of calories as well. 

Another benefit of cycling is that it provides great opportunities for sight-seeing and adventures in nature. If you have bicycle trails near you house, you can enjoy nature without having to worry about motor vehicles. If you choose to ride on the street, remember to share the road and maintain your lane.  Always ride with the flow of traffic, signal properly, and wear a helmet! While bicycling can be expensive, inexpensive bikes can be found on Craigslist, Ebay, and your local bicycle shop.

Whether you want to condition your knees, compete, or just stay healthy, consider riding a bicycle. If you are experiencing knee pain or other musculoskeletal issues, please contact our office. We can help direct you down the right road!

 

References:

1. http://time.com/3969005/fat-guy-biking/

2. http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02930/Cycling-is-Easy-on-the-Joints.html

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