

Mountain biking will increase your appetite, and with the calories you’ve burned, you can safely serve up an extra-large portion – just remember to eat your greens. The NHS has provided some information on foods that can provide the energy you need while riding and how you can seal in the benefits with a post-ride meal or snack. Bigger, better appetiteĪfter an exhausting mountain bike ride, you’ll want to refuel adequately and effectively with the right foods. Researchers have found that people who exercise find it easier to drop off and are more likely to experience unbroken, high-quality sleep that helps to restore the body and soothe the mind. Physical exercise can improve sleep quality, meaning you sleep better and for longer, too. Over time you can also increase the intensity. Mountain biking is excellent exercise, as you can vary intensity, with rigorous bouts of effort balanced with less-intensive periods. Add in its stress-busting and calorie-burning benefits, and you’re doing a huge amount to improve your heart’s health. A healthier heartĮxercise strengthens the heart and can lower blood pressure. As well as improving coordination, you’re improving concentration too – focusing on speed and safety as you work out your safest route. Mountain biking can be very technical, working out your brain as well as your body as you navigate tricky courses and technical sections. That’s what makes mountain bike riding the ultimate stress buster! 7. As well as losing weight and working your body muscles, you’re getting closer to nature and the benefits that brings.Īfter completing a mountain bike ride, your body releases endorphins, which make you feel better about yourself and the world around you. Improved mental wellbeingĪll exercise can improve self-esteem, mental health and wellbeing, says the Mental Health Foundation – and we agree. After you’ve ridden your heart out on the trails or tracks, stand tall and proud. This will all help to improve your posture when you get off the bike.


Better postureĮvery mile you ride, you’re strengthening your core muscles as well as those in your legs and arms. It’s never too late to start either, with exercise having a positive impact on your health whenever you do it. According to the NHS, exercise can reduce your risk of developing major illnesses, such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and cancer by up to 50% and lower your risk of early death by up to 30%. Regular exercise can have massive benefits for your health, including dramatically reducing your risk of developing life-limiting conditions. This can improve the function of joints, protecting and repairing them, says the Arthritis Foundation. Rigorous exercise such as mountain biking will strengthen the muscles while exercising joints and ligaments. Joint healthĪs well as working out your muscles you’ll be using all of your joints, keeping them working better for longer. Ride regularly, and you’ll shift those extra pounds in no time. You can burn 600-800 calories an hour while riding, more if you’re at high-intensity. Whether you ride at high-intensity or low-intensity, any time spent on your bike could take inches off your waistline. Whether you’re riding out of the saddle or on it, mountain biking is the most complete form of bike riding and whole-body exercise. As you tackle obstacles, you’ll work your core muscles and arms too. Of course, you’ll be giving your upper and lower leg muscles a serious workout, but mountain biking will strengthen your whole body. Here are 10 health benefits you’ll get from mountain biking. Sure, you could get this chasing a ball or pounding a treadmill, but we believe exercise is much more fun and fulfilling outdoors and on two wheels – and science seems to agree. The NHS recommends that we all exercise more, getting at least 150 minutes of exercise a week. As you’re racing up mountains or tearing down them, you’ll be exercising more than your legs. Mountain biking is the perfect workout for your body and mind.
