It’s recommended that you should get at least 150 minutes of exercise a week. Sure, you could get this by chasing a ball or pounding a treadmill, but we believe exercise is much more fun and fulfilling outdoors and on two wheels – and science seems to agree.
Here are 10 health benefits you’ll get from mountain biking.
Whole-body muscle workout
You’ll definitely be getting an upper and lower leg workout, but mountain biking will strengthen your whole body. As you tackle more obstacles, you’ll work your core muscles and your arms too. Whether you’re riding the saddle or on it, mountain biking is one of the best forms of workout.
Weight loss
Whether you ride at high or low intensity, any time spent on your bike can help in healthy, sustainable weight loss. Ride regularly, and you’ll lose those extra pounds in no time.
Joint health
As well as working out your muscles, you’ll also be using all your joints, keeping them working much better for long.er Rigorous exercise such as mountain biking will help strengthen the muscles while exercising joints and ligaments. This can improve the function of joints, protecting and repairing them.
Disease prevention
Regular exercise can have massive benefits for your personal health, including dramatically reducing your risk of developing life-limiting illness.
Regular exercise can have massive benefits for your health, including dramatically reducing your risk of developing life-limiting conditions. Exercise strengthens your heart and also improves circulation. The increased blood flow raises the oxygen levels in your body, too. This lowers your risk of heart disease such as high cholesterol, coronary artery disease, and heart attack. Regular exercise can lower your blood pressure and triglyceride levels. It’s also never too late to start.
Better posture
For every mile you ride, you’re strengthening your core muscles along with those in your legs and arms. This will all help improve your overall posture once you get off the bike. After you’ve ridden your heart out on the trails or tracks, you’ll be able to stand tall and proud.
Improved mental wellbeing
According to the Mental Health Foundation, exercise can improve self-esteem, mental health and wellbeing. As well as losing weight and improving your body, you’re getting closer to nature and the benefits that brings. After completing a mountain bike ride, your body releases endorphins, which make you feel better about yourself as well as the world around you. That’s what makes mountain bike riding the ultimate stress busting exercise.
Better coordination and concentration
Mountain biking can be very technical, working out your brain as well as your body while you navigate tricky courses. As well as improving your overall coordination, you’re also working on your concentration as well – focusing on speed and safety as you work out your best and safest route. Now that’s a plus!
A healthier heart
Exercise strengthens your heart and can also help to lower blood pressure. Add in its stress-busting and calorie-burning benefits, you’re doing a lot to improve your heart’s health. Mountain biking is excellent exercise, as you vary the intensity, with regular bouts of efforts balanced with less-intensive periods. Over time, you can always up the intensity.
Better quality sleep
Physical exercise can improve your sleep quality, meaning you actually sleep better and longer, as well. Researchers have found that people who exercise find it easier to drop off and are much more likely to experience unbroken, high-quality that helps you to restore the body and help soothe your mind.
Bigger, better appetite
After an exhausting ride, you’ll want to refuel adequately and effectively with the right foods. Mountain biking will increase your appetite, and with the calories you’ve been burning, you can safely serve up a good portion – just make sure to include your five a day.