Free yourself from the gym, cycle to work

Do you pay for gym membership? Be honest with yourself, how often do you go? A recent poll discovered that 11% of gym members don’t use their membership and 21% said that they only visited about 3 times per year. With an average gym cost of £47 a month, or £564 a year, it may be cheaper and easier to think about buying a bike and cycling your commute instead!

The benefits of cycling are impressive and cycling to and from work using the many safe shared-use Redways in Milton Keynes means that you can exercise in what would normally be considered dead time.

Cycling improves mental well being

Simply put, exercising releases adrenalin and endorphins which boost your mood. Studies by the YMCA showed that people who were physically active scored 32% higher on a wellbeing scale than people who did no exercise.

Using a bike for your commute means that you should arrive in a better mood than if you had chosen to use a car (plus you won’t get stuck in traffic).

Lose weight, feel great

Did you make a new year’s resolution to get fit or lose weight? Cycling can burn between 400 and 1000 calories per hour! It also helps you build muscle, which, in the long run, means that you will burn more calories even when you aren’t active.

 Enjoy elevenses

Cycling to work burns more calories, which have to be replaced somehow. Enjoying a guilt-free elevenses on your tea break after burning 200 to 500 calories on your way to work makes that bike ride worth it.

Cut heart disease and cancer risks

Dr. Jason Gill of the Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences recently stated “Cycling all or part of the way to work was associated with a substantially lower risk of adverse health outcomes.” Recent research studied 260,000 people over 5 years and discovered that cycling to work cut riders risks of developing cancer or heart disease by half!

Mild exercise can also improve your immune system and being out in the fresh air and not on a busy bus or train means that you avoid travelling in a confined space surrounded by germs.

Save time and money

Milton Keynes has a fantastic cycle network of Redways and Super Routes, enabling bike users to avoid traffic and cut their commutes. Instead of sitting in your car in a jam, burning money, you can happily filter past. What could you do with those extra pounds and minutes?

Keep your grey cells healthy

Exercise and brain health go hand in hand and scientific studies have shown that regular exercise can reduce the risks of dementia in later life. Just 40 minutes of exercise a day can make our brains grow and keep our minds sharp too! Cycling has also been proven to improve moods, reduce anxiety and can help us to deal with stress more effectively. It’s the perfect transport for your daily commute.

So, cancel that gym membership and get on your bike!