10-29-2023, 01:21 PM
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Doctors are Prescribing Cycling
10-29-2023, 01:28 PM
That makes sense, I had a knee issue a few years back and the PT guy that was helping me told me to bike as its good for your knees as it kind of lubes up your knees and stops them from locking up. I feel like biking has so many health benefits from cardio to mental health to joints 🤘🏼
10-30-2023, 09:37 AM
If anyone reading this is living an inactive life, consider cycling. Don't wait for the doctor to tell you. Use your own initiative.
11-15-2023, 11:09 PM
Cycling is such a wonderful exercise. I thought riding a lot eventually leads to knee pain. But am elderly friend of mine pointed out that when he doesn't cycle that summer, fall, he always gets knee pains that winter. It truly made me rethink..
What is cause and what is the effec?
What is cause and what is the effec?
11-16-2023, 04:29 PM
I would say, cycling is the best sport, suitable for really every each of us. Though the position on bike might not be the best for long hours and some compensation exercises are necessary, otherwise cycling is great. I would also maybe add swimming as another nice alternative to cycling.
11-17-2023, 03:20 AM
I agree with you, bab. Swimming or even yoga can be a great compensatory exercise for cycling. I do yoga everyday especially after long day of riding and I am rarely sore the following day..:-)
(11-16-2023, 04:29 PM)bab Wrote: I would say, cycling is the best sport, suitable for really every each of us. Though the position on bike might not be the best for long hours and some compensation exercises are necessary, otherwise cycling is great. I would also maybe add swimming as another nice alternative to cycling.
11-28-2023, 12:30 PM
11-29-2023, 07:20 AM
And to save time ( commute) and make new friends, I guess.
I have definitely saved a lot of time by commuting on bike and make tonnes of new friends during my bicycle commutes, travels.
I have definitely saved a lot of time by commuting on bike and make tonnes of new friends during my bicycle commutes, travels.
(11-28-2023, 12:30 PM)Hania Wrote:(11-15-2023, 11:09 PM)GirishH Wrote: Cycling is such a wonderful exercise.
Yes, it is that's why I prefer cycle over car or bus.
11-29-2023, 11:46 PM
(11-29-2023, 07:20 AM)GirishH Wrote: And to save time ( commute) and make new friends, I guess.
I have definitely saved a lot of time by commuting on bike and make tonnes of new friends during my bicycle commutes, travels.
(11-28-2023, 12:30 PM)Hania Wrote:(11-15-2023, 11:09 PM)GirishH Wrote: Cycling is such a wonderful exercise.
Yes, it is that's why I prefer cycle over car or bus.
Do you live in a big city where biking would save time on commuting? Here in Denver it’s almost always quicker to drive but biking just saves money and is kind of nice in summer sometimes
11-29-2023, 11:52 PM
Hello Lss555, I used to live in Boston area and biking was always the fastest way to get to work unless you ran to work. I saw some crazies doing it and eventually got on that bandwagon as well..:-(
Driving, public transport sucked big time and even worse in winters.
I almost moved to Denver area for a job in Boulder. I rest rode a few times from Westminster to the company's office in Boulder and seriously considered that job opportunity. I would have done it if I didn't have this travel, bikepacking itch..
Driving, public transport sucked big time and even worse in winters.
I almost moved to Denver area for a job in Boulder. I rest rode a few times from Westminster to the company's office in Boulder and seriously considered that job opportunity. I would have done it if I didn't have this travel, bikepacking itch..
(11-29-2023, 11:46 PM)Lss555 Wrote:(11-29-2023, 07:20 AM)GirishH Wrote: And to save time ( commute) and make new friends, I guess.
I have definitely saved a lot of time by commuting on bike and make tonnes of new friends during my bicycle commutes, travels.
(11-28-2023, 12:30 PM)Hania Wrote:(11-15-2023, 11:09 PM)GirishH Wrote: Cycling is such a wonderful exercise.
Yes, it is that's why I prefer cycle over car or bus.
Do you live in a big city where biking would save time on commuting? Here in Denver it’s almost always quicker to drive but biking just saves money and is kind of nice in summer sometimes
11-30-2023, 10:39 AM
(10-29-2023, 01:21 PM)ichitan Wrote: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24OEW2jEBgk
Been a while since I've seen that Triumph bike. I honestly think cycling is so much better than other exercises (cardio related) It's light on the joints, you can easily adjust your pace, there are no impacts or looking out for annoying puddles like with running. Plus, it has all the benefits of any cardio exercise.
12-01-2023, 10:20 AM
(11-29-2023, 11:52 PM)GirishH Wrote: Hello Lss555, I used to live in Boston area and biking was always the fastest way to get to work unless you ran to work. I saw some crazies doing it and eventually got on that bandwagon as well..:-(
Driving, public transport sucked big time and even worse in winters.
I almost moved to Denver area for a job in Boulder. I rest rode a few times from Westminster to the company's office in Boulder and seriously considered that job opportunity. I would have done it if I didn't have this travel, bikepacking itch..
(11-29-2023, 11:46 PM)Lss555 Wrote:(11-29-2023, 07:20 AM)GirishH Wrote: And to save time ( commute) and make new friends, I guess.
I have definitely saved a lot of time by commuting on bike and make tonnes of new friends during my bicycle commutes, travels.
(11-28-2023, 12:30 PM)Hania Wrote:(11-15-2023, 11:09 PM)GirishH Wrote: Cycling is such a wonderful exercise.
Yes, it is that's why I prefer cycle over car or bus.
Do you live in a big city where biking would save time on commuting? Here in Denver it’s almost always quicker to drive but biking just saves money and is kind of nice in summer sometimes
Right on, I suppose parking etc would suck or cost an arm and leg too, so it’s a win win 🤘🏼. Bikepacking is way cooler anyways lol
05-22-2024, 04:43 AM
Cycling puts less stress on our joints and also helps strengthen our thigh, calf, and butt muscles. There are also many benefits for cardiorespiratory health. I have been riding for a while and the feedback I get from BP Doctor Pro 15 after every workout is very positive.
05-23-2024, 11:34 AM
I'd say even more doctors should be prescribing cycling, it's such a good activity, especially if you can do it away from traffic and the stress that comes with it.
Cycling not only keeps me fit, but also keeps my mental health in check. There's nothing better than feeling the 'ride high' after getting home from a long ride, taking a shower, and reflecting back on where you've been and what you've seen.
Cycling not only keeps me fit, but also keeps my mental health in check. There's nothing better than feeling the 'ride high' after getting home from a long ride, taking a shower, and reflecting back on where you've been and what you've seen.
04-11-2025, 02:34 AM
....and the fact, unlike running on hard surfaces, it has zero impact on your body....unless of course, you wipe out!😁
04-23-2025, 09:50 PM
@Dusan, My dad is a doctor, and he dislikes how much I ride—and run. It’s probably a father’s instinct not to want his son to experience pain.
How can I explain to him the joys of riding and running long distances? Like you, I appreciate the mental health benefits that come with cycling—the exhilaration of reaching the top of a mountain after hours of pedaling and pushing myself to the limit.
I embrace these physical adventures while I can because they’re addictive and connect me deeply to the creator and to others.
@Flowrider, My knees start talking after a long day of cycling, and I’ve heard that cycling isn’t great for prostate health.
But I’d rather take those risks than give up cycling altogether.
I also run and cycle in the mountains —now in the mountains—which is lower impact, unless, of course, I slip and fall! :-)
How can I explain to him the joys of riding and running long distances? Like you, I appreciate the mental health benefits that come with cycling—the exhilaration of reaching the top of a mountain after hours of pedaling and pushing myself to the limit.
I embrace these physical adventures while I can because they’re addictive and connect me deeply to the creator and to others.
(05-23-2024, 11:34 AM)Dusan Wrote: I'd say even more doctors should be prescribing cycling, it's such a good activity, especially if you can do it away from traffic and the stress that comes with it.
Cycling not only keeps me fit, but also keeps my mental health in check. There's nothing better than feeling the 'ride high' after getting home from a long ride, taking a shower, and reflecting back on where you've been and what you've seen.
@Flowrider, My knees start talking after a long day of cycling, and I’ve heard that cycling isn’t great for prostate health.
But I’d rather take those risks than give up cycling altogether.
I also run and cycle in the mountains —now in the mountains—which is lower impact, unless, of course, I slip and fall! :-)
(04-11-2025, 02:34 AM)Flowrider Wrote: ....and the fact, unlike running on hard surfaces, it has zero impact on your body....unless of course, you wipe out!😁
05-16-2025, 12:25 AM
06-28-2025, 05:42 AM
@BrianGr, here is more from my journeys.
And here's my experience from this journey.
https://www.cycleblaze.com/journals/insaneindia/
And here's my experience from this journey.
https://www.cycleblaze.com/journals/insaneindia/
(06-27-2025, 12:30 PM)BrianGr Wrote: Thank you for sharing that!
06-30-2025, 09:31 PM
Of course, just to say go ride a bike is rather simplistic. I wrote a blog post years ago for a health wellness and fitness website but I can't pull it up on my phone. I'll find it in the next couple of days and post it here. I hope it's as good as I remember it!
Two Wheels
Stay Safe
Robert
"SPINMAN"
Stay Safe
Robert
"SPINMAN"
07-01-2025, 10:40 AM
Let me inject some reality into this discussion (from someone who worked in the health profession).
Most physical exertion is beneficial to the body while taking into consideration what it is you are doing, the duration, and/or intensity of the activity.
Different exercises affect different muscles/muscle groups, joints, etc. and so can limit one's ability to perform them depending on physical condition and injuries.
Specific activities will put more stress on certain parts of the body so you need to do different exercises to obtain overall strength and stamina. Swimming has the least orthopedic impact, and is thus a great way to maintain muscle strength while recovering from injuries aside from doing it for normal exercise/recreation; but like all exercise it does not cover all muscles nor necessarily work those muscles being used through their full range. Easy test of that statement can be done when you climbing stairs. Most people can easily climb stairs one at a time; some 2 at a time, and a choice few 3 at a time (shorter legs even harder). It has very little to do with how often you do it or at what duration if you only climb one step at a time, and then go to 2 steps since the range of your muscle strength has been limited by the previous exercise. Muscles need to be worked through their entire range of function to maintain or increase strength.
Biking is limited in what muscles it works and due to being constrained to a piece of equipment you are limited as to the range of muscle movement and thus are going to be limited to building strength and stamina due to the limited range of muscle movement. Cycling has low joint impact in some areas and more in others compared to othrr exercise so I will not say that you will not have joint discomfort just because you are on a bike. Hips, knees, ankles, shoulders and wrists are all impacted in some way, and depending on your body and riding methods might be a bad choice for exercise. Talk to your Dr. and be specific and honest about what you are trying to do and issues encountered when active in the discipline.
Good doctors/physical therapists are going to recommend a wide variety of low effort/impact exercise first bulding up to those areas needing more help. I have never had any Dr. or therapist tell me to just do one activity or bias one over another except for recovery purposes where an area that treatment is being focused upon. I have had a Dr. who, knowing my penchant for "self-destruction", instruct me to settle down and do a little less cycling and increase my exercise variety.
Note: only 150 minutes of "exercise" a week is supposed to help prevent heart disease so it there is plenty of to get your cycling in and do other physical activities be thwy outdoors or not (I go leg lifts in bed for core strength before sleep; how easy is that?).
Presently; after at least (not all x-rayed) 8 broken bones (heel to head), ruptured discs, fused vertebrae, torn rotator cuffs, bone spurs, arthritis, and surgeries; I still do nearly everthing I did 50 years ago; as I have striven to do that which I did when younger through to the present. I climbed a tree in my yard for no other purpose than to climb it for exercise. Probably not too many +60 yr olds doing that, but had I not kept climbing through the years, I would not have been able to cycle for hours and then stop and do rock climbing for hours on my recent tour last year. Sitting is early death!
Vary your exercise activities (try something new, be it cycling or something else), their duration (mix up short and long sessions), and intensity (do not "kill" yourself everytime; do some light duty sessions; or mix during same session).
Enjoy your summer/winter and stay hydrated, cool, or warm as appropriate.; but mix it up a bit and never try to over do it as that often leads to injury. Pain is a sign to stop, do not ignore it!
Most physical exertion is beneficial to the body while taking into consideration what it is you are doing, the duration, and/or intensity of the activity.
Different exercises affect different muscles/muscle groups, joints, etc. and so can limit one's ability to perform them depending on physical condition and injuries.
Specific activities will put more stress on certain parts of the body so you need to do different exercises to obtain overall strength and stamina. Swimming has the least orthopedic impact, and is thus a great way to maintain muscle strength while recovering from injuries aside from doing it for normal exercise/recreation; but like all exercise it does not cover all muscles nor necessarily work those muscles being used through their full range. Easy test of that statement can be done when you climbing stairs. Most people can easily climb stairs one at a time; some 2 at a time, and a choice few 3 at a time (shorter legs even harder). It has very little to do with how often you do it or at what duration if you only climb one step at a time, and then go to 2 steps since the range of your muscle strength has been limited by the previous exercise. Muscles need to be worked through their entire range of function to maintain or increase strength.
Biking is limited in what muscles it works and due to being constrained to a piece of equipment you are limited as to the range of muscle movement and thus are going to be limited to building strength and stamina due to the limited range of muscle movement. Cycling has low joint impact in some areas and more in others compared to othrr exercise so I will not say that you will not have joint discomfort just because you are on a bike. Hips, knees, ankles, shoulders and wrists are all impacted in some way, and depending on your body and riding methods might be a bad choice for exercise. Talk to your Dr. and be specific and honest about what you are trying to do and issues encountered when active in the discipline.
Good doctors/physical therapists are going to recommend a wide variety of low effort/impact exercise first bulding up to those areas needing more help. I have never had any Dr. or therapist tell me to just do one activity or bias one over another except for recovery purposes where an area that treatment is being focused upon. I have had a Dr. who, knowing my penchant for "self-destruction", instruct me to settle down and do a little less cycling and increase my exercise variety.
Note: only 150 minutes of "exercise" a week is supposed to help prevent heart disease so it there is plenty of to get your cycling in and do other physical activities be thwy outdoors or not (I go leg lifts in bed for core strength before sleep; how easy is that?).
Presently; after at least (not all x-rayed) 8 broken bones (heel to head), ruptured discs, fused vertebrae, torn rotator cuffs, bone spurs, arthritis, and surgeries; I still do nearly everthing I did 50 years ago; as I have striven to do that which I did when younger through to the present. I climbed a tree in my yard for no other purpose than to climb it for exercise. Probably not too many +60 yr olds doing that, but had I not kept climbing through the years, I would not have been able to cycle for hours and then stop and do rock climbing for hours on my recent tour last year. Sitting is early death!
Vary your exercise activities (try something new, be it cycling or something else), their duration (mix up short and long sessions), and intensity (do not "kill" yourself everytime; do some light duty sessions; or mix during same session).
Enjoy your summer/winter and stay hydrated, cool, or warm as appropriate.; but mix it up a bit and never try to over do it as that often leads to injury. Pain is a sign to stop, do not ignore it!
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