Autumn Cycling

The Asahikawa Marathon will soon be held at the end of the month. Many athletes from all over Hokkaido and any other prefectures will show off their health-conscious habits. But the idea of taking part in a marathon, or even just running on a daily basis, probably sounds a little overwhelming to many of us.

We all realise that we need some daily exercise to stay healthy but what's the best way? In this month's issue, I'll show you the cheapest, easiest aerobic exercise you can get while at the same time, soak in the splendour that is autumn in Asahikawa. Go to the garage and grab your bike. Let's pedal off to a healthy autumn!

Health Benefits of Cycling

Cycling is a great form of exercise, and it's a lot of fun. There are lots of health benefits associated with regular cycling. Now, let's go into more details about how cycling benefits our bodies.

Cycling Can Reduce Heart Disease

A major study of 10,000 civil servants suggested that those who cycled 20 miles over the period of a week were half as likely to suffer from heart disease as their non-cycling colleagues. This finding was independent of other factors such as smoking, obesity, high blood cholesterol and blood pressure.

Cycling Can Help Control that Belly

Steady cycling burns approximately 300 calories per hour. A 15-minute bike ride to and from work, five times a week, burns off the equivalent of 5 kg of fat per year.

Cycling Can Improve Your Mood

Cycling can have positive effects on how we feel. Moderate exercise has been found to reduce stress, anxiety, and levels of depression. It is believed that the mechanism is linked to the chemical substance, "endorphin", which is highly present in those who are physically active.

Cycling is an "easy-to-access" exercise

Cycling is one of the few physical activities, which the majority of the population can enjoy as part of a daily routine. Some people cannot do certain sports, like running, because of the pressure it puts on their joints. But pedalling is a low impact movement. This makes cycling a good form of exercise for those with certain joint problems. So there's no excuse for denying yourself the benefits of taking this simple road to better health.