Not ready to break out the bike for outdoor cycling just yet?
Neither are we, it’s still pretty chilly out there. Luckily, indoor cycling still offers a plethora of benefits to your body.
Easier to exercise to at home
Now there’s no excuse to not exercise! You don’t have to leave the house to get to a class, or even step to the garage to grab your bike. That’s a major plus in our books.
“This is perhaps the biggest advantage and reason we see the growth in popularity of indoor cycling,” says Roger Adams, a Texas-based certified personal trainer, doctor of nutrition, and owner of eatrightfitness. “It’s easy to use, requires very little training to figure out, and has a short learning curve—even the least athletic among us have no problems mastering the stationary cycle,” he says.
More intense than outdoor biking
Outdoor biking tends to be more leisurely in nature, as you enjoy the outdoors and its surroundings, as well as all that fresh air. Indoor cycling on the other hand, is positioned more as a serious workout, says Adams.
“Indoor cycling tends to have more organized workouts, especially if you are following a pre-programmed routine, than your outdoor bike riding,” he says. “This type of activity is done at a high level and is performed for training purposes usually for triathlons or long-distance cycling events.”
Easier on your joints
If your back, knees, or ankles are wonky, indoor cycling is more gentle on those tender muscles and joints, says Stephanie Mansour, a Chicago-based weight loss coach and corporate wellness trainer.
“High impact exercises like jumping and jogging may hurt sensitive joints, but cycling, however, is gentle on these muscles,” she says. “Because you aren’t landing on the ground harshly, cycling can be a good way to switch things up and give your joints a rest.”
Related: Try these new ways of exercising if you hate the gym
Boosts heart health
Cycling is a great exercise for your heart.
“Maintaining a cycling routine is a great way to lower your [low-density lipoprotein] LDL (bad) cholesterol and raise your [high-density lipoprotein] HDL (good) cholesterol,” says Adams. “Also, keeping consistent with your cycling program will help you keep your glucose levels under control and make you at less risk for developing type 2 diabetes,” he says.
Reduces body fat and adds muscle
After several months of cycling, you can expect to see a loss of body fat, notes Adams.
“Also, by adding some resistance or hills to your routine, you can also add some muscle to those legs in the process,” he says. “Body fat is used from all over the body as you exercise, so you will gradually notice leaning out from all over your body, as long as you pair your hard work with a healthy diet.”
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