6 S S CO Usafe to say that cycling’s
assault on life’s uphill
climbs shows little sign of
slowing. But you don’t have
to bedeck yourself in Lycra to
keep up with the leader of the
cardio peloton. New research
shows a mere half-hour commute
is enough to score a big win for
your heart. In a study of 45,000
adults published by the American
Heart Association, those who
regularly cycled – to work or for
pleasure – had 11-18% fewer heart
attacks during a 20-year period.
Now that’s not to say you can’t
become the next big dog of Team
Sky, if that’s what cranks your
drivetrain. But should your cycling
habits be more domestique, you
won’t get left behind in the chase
for cardiovascular glory.SWITCH GEARS ON
YOUR DAILY CARDIO
TO OIL YOUR ENGINE30
MINUTES ON YOUR
BIKE TO REINFORCE
YOUR HEART BY 18%
W
e’ve long peddled the
benefits of getting your
cardio fix on two wheels.
Saddling up for a steady-
state workout spares your joints
the impact of pounding pavement,
while taking the intensity up a gear
boosts your lower-body strength
and power in the same way as a
squat session – and that’s not to
mention the mental lift provided
by a weekend sportive. Whether
you’re going far or going hard, it’sTIME
YOUR