Last Updated on December 5, 2022
Mountain bikes are undoubtedly effective two-wheeled vehicles. They are capable of traversing seemingly impassable trails in the deep jungle. You can even bring them anywhere because they’re light and portable.
But aside from their effectiveness in bringing you from one place to another. They are also a great idea if you want to exercise! How?
Well, that’s what this article is about. We’ll show how mountain biking can make you healthier and happier in life. We are also going to answer frequently asked questions so you can clear your mind up.
Can mountain biking make you healthier?
Yes, mountain biking can make you healthier. But that’s if you don’t get overly addicted to it. You still need to maintain the right discipline and to use the bike the proper way.
Mountain biking is a great way to build and strengthen your muscles especially if you ride regularly. This sport focuses on strengthening the muscles found on your thighs and legs.
It can also improve your stamina and cardiovascular health. Your body will even improve coordination because it’ll be used to reacting on the fly from the bump and corners you encounter while riding.
Top Benefits of Mountain Biking
Relieve stress
One of the best things about riding a mountain bike is that it relieves stress. Nothing beats the feeling of being out in the great outdoors and seeing green spaces and wild environments.
Aside from that, you can also breathe fresh air, unlike if you were just to ride your bike around the city. Road cycling is nice but you’re just more likely to inhale dust and fumes from passing cars.
Not to mention that these cars go as fast as 80 to 100 kph and pass just inches from you. You don’t have to worry about any of those when mountain biking. You just enjoy the greeneries and bask on the scenic mountain ranges.
Strengthen your joints
Another nice thing about mountain biking is that it doesn’t place too much stress on your joints. Unlike other sports such as basketball, football, or even jogging and running. Those sports are strenuous on your joints because you directly make contact with the ground.
You even need to work double-time and continue working out to excel in those sports. However, a different thing happens with mountain biking because you can work out and keep fit without straining your joints.
You simply just sit on your bike saddle and pedal your way up the mountains. This range of motion is very gentle on your joints, which strengthens them in the long run.
Improve cardiovascular health
Mountain biking is one of the best workout choices because it improves your cardiovascular health. This is one of the biggest benefits of mountain biking. It’s an excellent cardio workout because it increases blood flow and exercises your heart muscles.
This makes your heart, along with your blood vessels, function properly. Mountain biking also improves your blood vessels because it dilates them and clears them off any impurities. This makes it easier for you to breathe in and out when doing something because you have a lower blood pressure post-ride.
Boost stamina
Another one of the best reasons why mountain biking is great is because it boosts your stamina and improves endurance, especially for road bikes. Your body becomes used to working out double time when climbing hills with a road bike or shredding downhill trails at blazing speeds.
Not only does this make you physically stronger, but this also makes your mind more competitive. Ride it whenever you can, just like when you’re buying something, going to the local bike shop or finding some bike shops for some new parts, or maybe going to the nearest grocery store. This makes your whole body healthy and acts as a good workout while helping you lose weight. Just make sure you get as much sleep as you can before riding.
Tones muscles
Another nice thing about mountain biking is that it tones your muscles and slows down aging. You use your muscles, specifically those on your legs and buttocks to glide through various kinds of terrain.
This makes you look good and more fit. It also sheds away any excess fat while filling up areas with nice-looking muscles. Ain’t that what most (if not all) of us want to have? Toning your muscles also helps you lose weight because the movement can burn fat and a lot of calories on your upper body.
This makes biking a great workout where you can reap huge benefits whether you ride on varying terrain, long ride, or onrushing downhill sections.
Faster reflexes
You get faster reflexes when you always ride your mountain bike. You learn how to maneuver through tight trail sections while balancing out your front and rear tires.
You also learn the right technique to go as fast as possible downhills without losing control of your bike. And you do all that while pedaling! For sure, your body will adapt to this rhythmic process and make its body parts in sync with one another.
Just make sure you don’t overdo it because mountain biking is a mental battle that needs great cardio both off-road and on-road. You also don’t want to increase your blood pressure to abnormal levels because this will just stop you from having great fun and time to enjoy nature.
Good exercise means that you know when to stop. Gauge your lung capacity when riding a bike. Be careful when increasing your speed.
Remember, you’re just having fun here. Never compromise your safety for the sake of having fun! Mountain biking is all about having less stress while improving your fitness level and gaining more energy.
Related: How Many Miles Should I Bike A Day
How to avoid injuries when mountain biking?
There are a lot of risks when riding a mountain bike. However, you don’t need to experience all of them to be a true mountain biker! In fact, it all depends on your self-discipline, skills, and passion.
Don’t go beyond your comfort zone. Some say that you need to test out your skills and feel a bit uncomfortable for you to achieve greatness and fulfillment. But there’s nothing great or fulfilling if you have broken bones or bleeding knees.
You’re supposed to have fun and get rid of stress when riding your bike. Not feeling pain and worrying about the expensive hospital bills to get a titanium plate on your shattered bones! Unless, of course, you’re a paid professional mountain bike athlete.
But for most of us who are just here to enjoy the outdoors on two wheels, then the most logical thing to do is to put a limit on our capabilities.
If you think you can’t handle the steep downhill, then it’s best to get off your bike and just walk it. Don’t force yourself to jump or do drops just for the sake of peer pressure.
Listen to your mind and not to your heart if you want to ride safe. Don’t let the adrenaline rush make you lose your senses.
Conclusion
Mountain bikes are undoubtedly good for exercise because they improve your muscles and joints, cardiovascular health, and mental wellbeing. Not only do you become physically stronger, but also emotionally and mentally happy.
Nothing beats the feeling of being out in the outdoors and going wherever you want to go with a capable bike! It’s just like having a magical experience with mother nature.
Just make sure that you weigh the risks and don’t go beyond your comfort zone. Your goal is to exercise while getting rid of stress when mountain biking. Not the other way around.
