Biking Uses All of the Major Muscle Groups
You don’t have to be a serious athlete, but getting daily exercise is important for so many reasons. It helps energize you, maintain your optimum weight and even boosts your mood, while warding off illness. If you’re not the type to hit the gym, here are four of the best exercises for men:
- Swimming – Swimming just might be the perfect workout. It offers a low-impact aerobic workout that allows you to get your heart rate up while the buoyancy of the water supports your body and takes the strain off painful joints. In addition, swimming targets the muscles in your legs, abdomen, shoulders and arms, enabling you to build up muscle strength and tone. Research has also found that swimming can improve your mental state and put you in a better mood.
- Biking – Biking is another excellent low-impact exercise. It only requires two to four hours a week to improve your health with cycling. Because it’s low-impact, it causes less strain and injuries. It uses all of the major muscle groups while you pedal and doesn’t require high levels of physical skill. Plus, biking increases stamina, strength and aerobic fitness. Biking is a great way to lose weight since it raises your metabolic rate, builds muscle and burns body fat.
- Strength Training – Even if you’re trying to avoid the gym, you should be doing some sort of strength training. You’re not going to turn into the Incredible Hulk or Popeye, but lifting light weights will keep your muscles strong. Muscle also helps burn calories, so the more you have, the easier it is to maintain your ideal weight. Some research has suggested that strength training can improve brain function later in life. Remember to start light and ensure proper form to avoid injury.
- Walking – You don’t have to be a runner to be fit. Walking has just as many, if not more, health benefits. Daily walking can help you lose weight, improve cholesterol levels, keep blood pressure low, improve mood and lower your risk of many diseases including diabetes and heart disease. It’s easy. All you need is a good pair of supportive walking shoes and you’re on your way. Start small and build up to longer distances. Build up to 30-60 minutes of walking per day and you’ll be in tip top shape before you know it.