Looking for a little adventure? Something new to explore? Then head out on the highway!
Dr. Pamela Reilly, a naturopathic doctor at the Good Works Wellness Research in Indianapolis, suggests taking up riding motorcycles. Rather than jumping on the “they’re so dangerous” bandwagon, Reilly believes that it’s a good form of low-impact exercise. She offers these six possible healthy outcomes:
- Healthier, stronger knees and thighs. Orthopedic surgeons have noted that motorcycle riders have fewer knee problems because riding a bike strengthens key muscles used to hold the patella and other bones in the knee in place.
- Improved core strength. All of the activities involved in steering a bike, moving it at slow speeds, etc., serve to strengthen muscles in the abdomen.
- Increased insulin sensitivity. Motorcycle riding is a low-impact exercise, so riders have improved insulin sensitivity for up to eight hours after a ride, which in turn promotes weight loss.
- Increased calorie burning. Yep, as a constant resistance exercise, riding a motorcycle burns calories. Reilly says riders can count on burning 600 calories per hour compared to the 200 to 300 the rest of us do.
- Improved neck strength. If you wear a helmet and your bike has the correct handlebars, seat, and footpegs, riding can be as beneficial as a chiropractor visit. Reilly found that strengthening her own neck muscles in this way served to pull her neck vertebrae back into alignment and back into the proper curvature. The key is to get the adjustment correct; riding with a poor fit can cause back pain.
- Better mental outlook. Riding a motorcycle releases the almighty endorphins that serve to boost mood and improve
outlook . Time in the sun also ups your Vitamin D exposure, which is a mood enhancer
Original article: https://www.casbo.org/content/6-surprising-benefits-motorcycle-riding
