Cycling for Beginners

Cycling is both an exercise and a sport that is great for shedding fat and toning muscle as well as boosting cardiovascular health. Dedicated cyclists can reach and exceed fitness goals with a consistent biking regimen that often includes many miles a day. Because of the intensity and cost of dedicated cycling, it can be a very intimidating form of exercise to get into.

The benefits of cycling are many and varied. Of course cycling improves muscle tone and slims you down but it is also good for your body and mind in other ways. Cycling, as with many forms of physical activity, produces endorphins and can boost your overall wellbeing. Bike riding is also lower-impact than running and does less damage to your joints. But some of the biggest healthy benefits are those related to heart and lung health; cycling has been shown to reduce your risk of heart disease and increase your stamina.

So the benefits are great but the barriers to getting serious about cycling can also be huge. Committed cyclists spend plenty of money on their bike, equipment, and clothing and it can be difficult to accrue all of the fancy gear cyclists enjoy. On top of that, the idea of cycling for miles and miles nearly every day can be enough to keep many from climbing onto their bikes at all. So how do you get started?

You don’t have to have a fancy bike or equipment to start benefiting from cycling. Start small with a bike you already own and some simple extras. Make sure you have a reusable water bottle and invest in Gym & Tonic, a protein-packed collagen supplement that helps your body make the most out of your exercise while also protecting your joints. Just these few things will help you start off on the right foot (or pedal, for that matter).

You can also start slow by biking shorter distances; slowly increase the distance with each ride and you’ll find your stamina increasing. If you don’t own a bike at all or you struggle with motivation, sign up for a cycling class at your local gym. While stationary bikes are not exactly the same as the real thing, they do have many of the same benefits and they can be easier for some to have access to. Plus, the classes involve lots of group mentality that will keep you pushing yourself. When all is said and done, there’s no harm in trying something new.