Mountain biking, like so many other outdoor sports, is ideal for Prescott’s mountains, trails and spectacular trees, boulders and landscape. It’s also a pretty perfect workout and stress buster for everyone, pulling all of your muscles together into a perfectly balanced machine.
Lungs — Obviously all that oxygen comes from your lungs, which can build up to 25% capacity over that of your typical desk- or couch-dweller.
Chest and Abs — You may be seated (most of the time) on your bike, but having to sit upright and stay balanced develops a rock-hard core that will give you the confidence to try just about any other sport or activity while keeping your waistline trim.
Legs — Naturally, pedaling up ferocious inclines flexes and tones your calves and thighs all the way up to your buttocks, the trademark look for every serious cyclist. But you won’t get those stereotypical ginormous calves unless you work for them while you’re off the bike, too.
Brain — Cycling has been shown to add brain cells to the hippocampus, the part of the brain that stores our memories, through improved cardio-pulmonary fitness. Mountain biking also pushes your reflexes to improve as you constantly adjust to elevation, pitch and terrain.
Heart — Mountain biking is clearly a terrific cardio workout, boosting your blood’s oxygen levels and its flow through blood vessels, dilating them and keeping them clear of inflammation and buildup.
Arms — Hanging onto the handlebars for dear life is one way your arms develop while you ride, but they also keep your body upright, which works your biceps, triceps, deltoids, forearms, wrists and hands too.
Joints — Well, in this case it’s more about what biking doesn’t do: It’s not a load-bearing sport so it isn’t as hard on your knees and ankles as most other aerobic activities like running, walking and aerobic fitness classes.
“May your trails be crooked, winding, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.”
— Edward Abbey
“Mountain biking: the under-rated and drug-free antidepressant.”
— betterride.net
“Ride as much or as little or as long or as short as you feel, but ride!”
— Eddy Merckx