Cycling is a great low-impact exercise, but the weather doesn’t always cooperate with your ideal workout schedule, and living in upstate NY only gives us a few months of the year to really enjoy outdoor cycling. Indoor Cycling is a smart alternative to riding your bike outdoors, and it’s now easier than ever, thanks to an increased number of small Cycling studios and at-home bikes and Cycling apps on the market.

Here are some benefits of Indoor Cycling;

  1. Building community; Regardless of your fitness level, Cycling unifies groups of people through hard work and dedication. You don’t just sit in class unaffected by your neighbor, you and your neighbor begin to motivate one another. Riding together also gives you the opportunity to encourage others. You can inspire those who have not yet reached your level of fitness, while those stronger than you inspire you. In these moments, we become more than a group of riders – we become a team, a community.
  2. Cardiovascular Fitness; Indoor Cycling is excellent for cardiovascular fitness for all of the same reasons that outdoor Cycling is, with the added benefit that there is no ‘coasting’ on an indoor bike.
  3. It’s Easier on Your Joints; Cycling is a low-impact activity that’s gentle on achy joints. Indoor Cycling is often used in rehab for joint-related issues since it eliminates the pounding common in other forms of exercise like running.
  4. It Burns Lots of Calories; If you’re looking to lose weight, Indoor Cycling can help. Be consistent with your Cycling training program. One Cycling class a week isn’t going to make a difference in your cardiovascular health or your weight loss. A one-hour Indoor Cycling class at a moderate intensity burns approximately 450 to 700 calories.
  5. Indoor Cycling Is Lower-Risk; Avoid Cycling-related dangers from traffic or dangerous roads, making Indoor Cycling a helpful alternative for anyone living in an area that isn’t favorable for outdoor cyclists. Plus, you control the speed. Want to pick up the pace with some interval training? Get after it. It’s your own ride.
  6. Muscle Definition; In addition to the major leg muscles worked during a Cycling class, the abdominal muscles get a workout too since those are the main muscles you use to ride. You may not see the results of your abdominal work immediately, but this is a benefit of Indoor Cycling that builds over time, as you start to feel your entire body begin to tone up.
  7. It’s FUN