Staying active as we age plays an essential role in maintaining physical and mental health. Low-impact exercises such as walking, jogging, swimming, and cycling are typically recommended. Studies have shown that cycling is a lot easier on the body’s muscles than running, and is a prescribed form of exercise for beginners. Here are five other benefits of cycling for seniors:
Weight loss
Often one starts cycling as a form of exercise when attempting to lose weight. Depending on your current weight and tempo of riding, cycling could help you burn around 300 calories per hour. It also boosts metabolism, burns fat and helps maintain muscle mass.
Boosts heart health
The cardiovascular exercise that cycling provides strengthens the heart, helps lower your resting pulse, and decrease the chances for heart disease. Additionally, if you cycle for 30 minutes a day, you can reduce the risks of developing diabetes and other health issues.
Improves memory
Regularly riding bikes can preserve and enhance memory. It builds new brain cells in the hippocampus, the region of the brain responsible for memory. Fresh air while riding bikes can also increase your problem solving and creative thinking skills.
Prevents Cancer
Bike riding can reduce inflammation, boost immune function, and lower the risk of developing cancer.
Overall wellbeing/mental health
Getting on your bike can also provide mental benefits including reduced anxiety and depression. The act of cycling impacts the levels of serotonin, dopamine, and phenylethylamine – all of which are responsible for making you feel happier, more content and alert. Cycling supports confidence and an opportunity for socialization when biking in groups.
Twin Lakes Community has a biking group that meets regularly whether it be riding around the community or longer trail rides around the Triad. In addition to biking around the community, the bike group organizes 15-20-mile trips to the Neuse River Trail in Raleigh, Salem Lake and Salem Creek Greenway in Winston-Salem, American Tobacco Trail in Durham, and the Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway in Greensboro. Once a year the biking group takes an overnight trip to the Virginia Creeper Trail in Abingdon, Virginia.
At Twin Lakes Community, we encourage residents to take advantage of the great outdoors. Learn more about other amenities and activities available for residents who choose to live independently at Twin Lakes Community. Twin Lakes Community in Burlington, North Carolina is a neighborhood where independence and community are treasured. Schedule your tour of our community now by calling (336) 538-1572.
