Physical conditioning is only one of the benefits of aerobic exercise.

Aerobic exercise requires your body to increase the amount of oxygen it consumes, increase the size and amount of blood vessels, and requires your heart to pump more blood with more force and speed. This results in a stronger, more efficient heart.

The benefits of aerobic exercise can be classified into the following 5 categories...

Health

• Stimulates your immune system to help fight common colds and illnesses.

• Reduces the risk of high blood pressure. Studies show a 50% decrease in prevalence of hypertension among regular exercisers as compared to the general population.

• Helps prevent heart disease and stroke by strengthening the heart, lowering blood pressure, improving blood flow, and increasing good cholesterol while decreasing bad cholesterol.

• Helps prevent diabetes by controlling weight and lowering blood sugar levels.

• Helps prevent cancer by changing hormones, reducing obesity, and lowering fat levels.

Body

• Controls weight by burning calories and fat.

• Helps reduce body fat by burning it during exercise.

• Relieves pain by loosening and relaxing muscles.

• Builds strong bones when combined with light weight-bearing exercise such as walking or jogging.

Mind

• Promotes a positive attitude by releasing chemicals that instill a sense of accomplishment.

• Increases production of endorphins - the body’s natural painkiller.

• Relieves stress by providing a healthy outlet for all that pent up energy.

• Boosts mood through the release of chemicals that alleviate both mental and physical pain.

• Increases confidence through the sense of accomplishment that comes from completing a taxing workout.

Lifestyle

• Increases lifespan by improving heart condition, cardiovascular fitness, and immunity to disease and illness.

• Increases stamina and resistance to fatigue.

• Increases energy and overall efficiency of bodily systems.

• Reduces stress by providing an outlet.

• Improves sexual performance through increased stamina and blood flow.

• Helps maintain youth and fights the effects of aging.

• Increases independence into the golden years.

Training Effect

• Reduces resting heart rate - the most predictable sign of a fit athlete.

• Increases cardiovascular efficiency allowing you to accomplish more work with the same effort.

• Increases energy on and off the bike.

• Increases endurance, stamina, and pain tolerance to go that extra mile.

• Reduces recovery time to get you back on the bike for more training effect.

• Improves blood flow to get it to those muscles pumping faster.

Cycling is just one of many methods of reaping the benefits of aerobic exercise. You may want to cross train with running, swimming, or any other aerobic exercise for more balanced fitness.

Cleary, regular aerobic exercise can have a dramatic impact on your quality of life now and well into the future. Exercise should be an integral part of your lifestyle.

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