Embracing Retirement-Biking is Beneficial For Seniors
Volume 5-The Many Benefits of Biking
Welcome back to my popular series on getting the most out of your retirement. In my first installment a few weeks ago, I outlined some suggestions for a successful retirement, one of which was the importance of having hobbies. I am fortunate to have many, most of which I had before retiring. Recently I wrote an article on the benefits of gardening. In this article I will bring to light the many benefits of biking, another one of my favorite hobbies, which can be very beneficial for seniors.
Like gardening, biking provides many health benefits for seniors. I find the most import aspect is that it is a non-weight bearing activity. This is huge especially for seniors who may have joint issues. I also enjoy walking and hiking, however, with knee and back issues, I sometimes find these somewhat painful and harder to recover from. To my surprise, biking does not bother either my knees or back.
As a matter of fact, biking seems to help my knees especially. Recently, for example, my knees were sore from a few previous days of hiking. I was hesitant about biking, but I had no pain at all and completed a 14-mile bike trail near Speculator, NY, in the Adirondack Park in NY State.
Do you have to ride that far? Of course not. It has taken me quite a while to work up to such a long ride. Many times I take shorter rides. It’s not a competition, so do as much or little as you want. The key is to get out and enjoy. You are retired! Breathe in. Breathe out. Relax!
Another idea is using a stationary bike if you would rather stay indoors or if you feel your balance isn’t good enough. A stationary bike is a great alternative to traditional biking. You can easily even convert your traditional bike to a stationary one by purchasing a stand.
Being a person with a torn meniscus in each knee and degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis, biking has worked wonders for me. It definitely helps to keep me moving and maintain my flexibility. Of course, results may vary depending on your situation. However, I encourage you to give it a try.
Biking is a good aerobic activity that will increase stamina. It can also help to lower blood pressure, improve circulation, and improve balance and stability.
Additional benefits in addition to physical advantages include:
- Mental Health — Biking is relaxing. It will take your mind off your worries and bring enjoyment to your life. It will get you in the great outdoors and give you a good dose of Vitamin D which in itself helps improve mood.
- Slow Down The Aging Process — Cycling will help you maintain muscle mass and studies have shown it can also greatly decrease your risk for cancer and heart disease.
- Decrease Risk For Alzheimer’s Disease — Exercise is known to reduce risk for Alzheimer’s, especially aerobic exercise. It helps to prevent the buildup of dangerous proteins in your brain that can lead to Alzheimer’s and dementia.
- A Great Family Activity — This is an obvious but important benefit. Biking is loved by people of all ages, so it just makes sense that it is a great activity for you to enjoy with your family and friends.
Exploration and Adventure
In additional to all the advantages I have pointed out, one big advantage remains. The ability to get out and explore your favorite road, path, or park. There are so many places to explore on bike. Even though you may have travelled to some destinations by car, biking to a familiar destination will be a totally different experience. I always like to explore local historical sites such as I wrote about recently in this article:
Summary
Overall, biking is a good fit for seniors who are in reasonably good health. If you have concerns about trying it, consult with your doctor first. Most of us have ridden bike at some point in our lives; therefore, it’s just a matter of getting back in practice. Perhaps buy yourself a new or used bike and begin your adventure. You will be glad you did!
