Back in the (Bicycle) Saddle
Stop spinning the wheels in your head and go spin some actual wheels for your health!
Age and Prosper is a reader supported publication created for anyone looking for healthy longevity. If you enjoy it, please consider supporting it financially for $5 a month or more (and/or sharing it). Becoming a paying subscriber supports us in producing this newsletter and bringing you up-to-date information to help you live a longer and healthier life.
You can expense this newsletter as an educational resource on your taxes if you pay for a subscription. You can also sign up company employees for health perks with a group subscription. The information provided on Age and Prosper is intended to be educational; it should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice.
When it comes to touting the myriad benefits of exercise as it pertains to longevity, we here at Age and Prosper will never be done. As we all know, exercise as a whole increases happiness and health. In this newsletter, we like to talk about the types of exercise that are accessible across a wide spectrum of age and physical abilities. One of our favorites of these is cycling.
Whether you’re hitting 150 miles a week on the open road like 92-year-old Geoff (pictured below), going for a fast 20 minute spin on your indoor stationary bike (#peletonmoms, whats up!), or meandering around your local 'hood on a beach cruiser or recumbent bike, cycling offers the same metabolic benefits as running with a fraction of the high-impact costs to joints and muscles.
Studies have linked cycling to many health benefits, including:
increased cardiovascular fitness
increased muscle strength and flexibility
improved joint mobility
decreased stress levels
improved posture and coordination
strengthened bones
decreased body fat levels
prevention or management of disease
reduced anxiety and depression
Studies have shown that cycling reduces mortality rates for diabetes, and relieves pain for knee osteoarthritis. You can go as fast or as slow as you like, with a lot or a little resistance, making it perfect for people at any fitness level. If your coordination and balance isn’t what it once was, stationary recumbent bikes offer a stable solution you can enjoy in your own home, low to the ground and no straddling required. Some studies have shown that cycling in particular can increase certain proteins in the brain that help with movement and cognitive function, and has been shown to alleviate the symptoms of people with Parkinson’s Disease.
Finally, here is Geoff in action in a very short and inspiring film by Tom. Age is just a number!
Until next week, Age and Prosper!