Indoor cycling has a lot of benefits for your health, whether you’re a new athlete or experienced, and indoor cycling will always put you at a challenge.
This article explores what exactly indoor cycling is and why you should consider it.
What Is Indoor Cycling?
Indoor cycling, also referred to as spinning, is riding a stationary bike in an indoor environment. It’s a cardio-based workout, unlike traditional cycling, which takes you through terrains; indoor cycling provides you with a controlled environment that’s great for a cardiovascular workout.
Where Did Indoor Cycling Come From?
The concept of indoor cycling dates back to 1980, when a South African cyclist invented the first indoor cycling bike. It was originally designed to train indoors during the off-season, yet it quickly gained popularity and evolved into a mainstream activity.
Benefits of Indoor Cycling
Here are the benefits of indoor cycling:
Cardiovascular Health
Indoor cycling is great for your cardiovascular health; the high-intensity workout gets your blood pumping throughout your body and raises your heartbeat, which improves your cardiovascular health. Regular cycling reduces the risk of developing heart disease and improves your well-being all around.
Mental Health Benefits
Beyond the physical benefits, indoor cycling is great for mental health, as, during cycling, you find yourself with a rush of endorphins, adrenaline, and dopamine, which just lift your mood. You feel a sense of freshness after the workout and feel relieved.
Stress Relief
Indoor cycling is a great stress reliever; the focus required during the ride helps you take your mind off your daily worries, and the physical exercise leads to a state of relaxation afterward. Your sleep quality drastically improves because your body goes into deep sleep.
Improved Sleep Quality
Suppose you’re someone who always struggles to sleep at night or wakes up during the night. Doing a session per day of indoor cycling just might be what you need. It’s a scientific fact you sleep better after exercising because your body needs rest to recover. That’s why it goes into Rapid eye movement (REM), stage four of sleep.
Where your muscles relax, the more deep sleep you get, the better your recovery is. You feel energized when you wake up because of a good night’s rest.
Types of Indoor Cycling
There are lots of indoor cycling styles available; each style offers its benefits.
Traditional Spin Classes
These are what comes to your mind when you think of indoor cycling. Spin classes are long cycling sessions ranging from 45 minutes to an hour. You paddle at a medium pace while your heartbeat rises.
They are best for people who are just looking for a challenging but easy-going session.
HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training)
HIIT is what you call a nightmare in indoor cycling. These short bursts of intense effort and rounds, followed by periods of recovery, leave you all sweaty and thirsty. This method is quite helpful for burning a ton of calories in a short period of time.
Conclusion
Indoor cycling is an effective workout that’s suitable for everyone with different fitness levels. It has numerous benefits, from cardiovascular health to stress relief. If you’re ever tired of your everyday workout routines, fitting in a small session of indoor cycling can be beneficial for your mind and goals.