When You Ride A Bike Every Day, This Is What Happens To Your Legs
If you're looking to step up your workout game, you might want to try riding a bike. As it turns out, riding a bike can be a great cardio aerobic workout. Whether you choose to use an indoor stationary bike or ride a bike outdoors, it is a fun way to tone your muscles and stay in shape. According to Self, cycling is a good exercise for people of all fitness levels. That's because the level of difficulty can be adjusted accordingly.
On a stationary bike, you can increase or decrease the resistance by changing gears. On a moving bike, however, the difficulty level depends on the terrain around you. For instance, if you're a beginner, you might want to start off with flat roads and bike paths, while more experienced cyclists may choose to ride on more hilly terrain. Either way, cycling can help you increase your heart rate, build muscle mass, and improve your overall strength.
Cycling can strengthen your lower body
Believe it or not, cycling is a full-body workout that engages five of your main muscle groups. As a result, it can make your muscles pretty sore, but it can also help strengthen them. According to Verywell Fit, however, cycling tends to work the lower body more than the upper body. That's because your legs are doing most of the work. When you pedal, different muscles in your legs are activated in certain positions. For example, when you pedal down, you're engaging your quadriceps, and when you pedal back up, you're working your hamstrings. Your calves, however, are working hard throughout the entire motion.
In addition, your hips and glutes also play an important role in cycling. That's because they generate most of the power and energy that is needed in order for your legs to pedal. This requires a great deal of core strength, however, to keep you upright and help maintain the correct posture. As a result, cycling on a regular basis can help strengthen these muscles, giving you stronger legs and hips and a toned core.