| Cycling for seniors can be a great form of exercise, | | | | decide to do needs to be enjoyable and fun for you, to |
| just as for any other age group. Cycling is an aerobic | | | | keep your motivation high. |
| form of exercise, which just means that it uses | | | | Most people listen to music to keep them motivated |
| oxygen and the lungs. Aerobic activity is generally very | | | | while cycling indoors and some even watch TV. |
| good for the heart and circulatory system and it is | | | | However, it is important not to become to engrossed |
| often said to reverse some of the physical effects of | | | | in the television or anything else. We need to stay |
| aging. | | | | aware of the movement of our bodies during any |
| Cycling can also help to reduce symptoms of many | | | | form of exercise, to make it more effective and also |
| health problems including hypertension (high blood | | | | to help reduce the risk of muscle strain or injury. |
| pressure), arthritis, asthma and even depression. | | | | Outdoor Cycling |
| However, if you suffer from any health problem | | | | A major benefit of cycling outdoors is that it gets you |
| especially heart conditions, high blood pressure, or if | | | | outside in the fresh air. Your lungs and circulatory |
| you are at risk of health issues due to age, being | | | | system are likely to benefit much more from receiving |
| overweight or a smoker, you should definitely check | | | | fresh oxygen while you exercise, than if you cycle in |
| with a doctor before taking up any vigorous exercise. | | | | the stale air of your home, especially if the windows |
| In fact a health check is recommended for all seniors | | | | are closed. |
| before starting any exercise program. | | | | Of course it is better to avoid heavy traffic, both for |
| There are two main forms of cycling that you can | | | | safety reasons and to avoid pollution. Plan a route on |
| enjoy: indoor and outdoor. | | | | quiet roads or special cycle paths. For safety, it is best |
| Indoor Cycling | | | | to carry a cellphone at all times, especially if you are |
| Cycling indoors requires a stationary bike or exercise | | | | cycling alone. |
| cycle that you keep in the house. The big advantage | | | | Cycling with a group can be a wonderful experience, |
| of this is that your exercise bike can be used at any | | | | especially if you can find a seniors group in your area. |
| time of day or night, in all weathers and even in the | | | | Increasing social interaction is very important as we |
| busiest of cities. It also gives you privacy while you | | | | grow older. We tend to develop set habits and the |
| exercise. | | | | number of our social contacts decreases, leaving us |
| Some people find stationary cycling a little tedious | | | | vulnerable to apathy and depression. Meeting new |
| compared with cycling outdoors. This depends entirely | | | | people broadens the mind and helps to keep us |
| on your temperament. Whatever type of exercise you | | | | mentally alert - another benefit of cycling for seniors. |