Bike (bicycle) riding and health benefits!?

Question

Hey all,

I just bought a new bike last week for some good ole fashioned exercise and im probably a little late in asking, but what exactly are the benefits of bike riding and do i have to ride at a certain speed, with incline, etc. to achieve full benefits??

I am currently riding 4 miles a day, 6 days a week...I bike at a liesurely pace, sometimes speeding up when i get a sudden rush of energy, but overall, im riding about 4 miles in one hour just to get an idea of my speed.

I dont breathe heavily during the ride at all. And i dont know if breathing heavily is the only indicator that ur getting a good work out. im still riding 4 miles a day, and still getting a bit sweaty.

ive lost 55lbs in the last 9 months, and my exercise routine got very boring, hence the new bike. so this bike is for weight loss purposes.

Answer 1

First, congratulations on the weight loss.

Second, you do not have to be breathless to lose weight.  Steady distance in the range between breaking a sweat and not being able to hold a conversation puts you roughly in fat-burning range.

Going fast is fun, and speeding up once in a while is great for mixing it up.  Keep it fun!

Answer 2

first, congrats on the weight loss!!!

what kind of bike are you using?

mountain bike, road bike>

I ride approx ten miles per day, on bike trails.

I use a road bike.

the faster you go, the higher your pulse rate, which is the cardio workout...I have a cheapo pulse indicator I use...if my pulse rate is 120, then I slow up. if it drops below 110. I speed up.

I would invest in a speedometer/odometer for the bike....you can set the cadence , and get a better workout. any bike shop would be able to help.....the ones here have been very helpful to me.

again, congrats on your weight loss, and welcome to the world of biking!!!