{"id":1236,"date":"2020-02-07T15:05:11","date_gmt":"2020-02-07T15:05:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/ie\/?p=1236"},"modified":"2020-02-07T15:05:11","modified_gmt":"2020-02-07T15:05:11","slug":"five-sports-that-complement-a-cycling-lifestyle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/ie\/2020\/02\/07\/five-sports-that-complement-a-cycling-lifestyle\/","title":{"rendered":"Five Sports That Complement A Cycling Lifestyle"},"content":{"rendered":"

You<\/span>\u00a0m<\/span>ight<\/span>\u00a0be an avid cycling enthusiast<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0but<\/span>\u00a0that isn\u2019t to say that you should restrict yourself to\u00a0<\/span>saddle-based activity only<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Whether you\u2019re<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>recover<\/span>ing\u00a0<\/span>from\u00a0<\/span>an<\/span>\u00a0injury,\u00a0<\/span>hoping to<\/span>\u00a0strengthen other muscle groups<\/span>, or simply l<\/span>ooking to switch things up,\u00a0<\/span>there are a variety of different sports that can both\u00a0<\/span>accompany\u00a0<\/span>and benefit your\u00a0<\/span>cycling<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>S<\/span>o,\u00a0<\/span>hit the brakes on the bike<\/span>\u00a0and check out our top\u00a0<\/span>picks t<\/span>o<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>comple<\/span>ment<\/span>\u00a0your cycling lifestyle<\/span>\u2026<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Running<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>While you may think that running is\u00a0<\/span>rather<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>similar to cycling<\/span>\u00a0\u2013<\/span>\u00a0both amongst the most popular\u00a0<\/span>form<\/span>s<\/span>\u00a0of cardio<\/span>\u00a0\u2013 t<\/span>his high-<\/span>impact sport\u00a0<\/span>varies\u00a0<\/span>significantly in its<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>ability to\u00a0<\/span>build bone strength.\u00a0<\/span>Running will<\/span>\u00a0also<\/span>\u00a0strengthen your hamstrings, glutes and calf muscles while also\u00a0<\/span>improving<\/span>\u00a0your aerobic ability.\u00a0<\/span>One of the main benefits of running is that once you have a good pair of\u00a0<\/span>shoes, you\u2019<\/span>re set to\u00a0<\/span>go\u00a0<\/span>just about anywhere. If you find\u00a0<\/span>yourself without your bike\u00a0<\/span>\u2013 or not feeling up to a cycle \u2013<\/span>\u00a0then\u00a0<\/span>take it as an opportunity<\/span>\u00a0to\u00a0<\/span>try<\/span>\u00a0a new form of exercise that is virtually cost-free.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Hiking<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Seasoned hikers know that there truly is nothing better than the sense of achievement that comes with having completed a\u00a0<\/span>challenging trek<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0Hiking is a great way\u00a0<\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>explore parts of nature that aren\u2019t accessible on bike<\/span>, or to<\/span>\u00a0spend some quality time with your close ones that may not be fond of cycling<\/span>\u00a0\u2013 all while getting in some excellent exercise!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Hiking\u00a0<\/span>can be<\/span>\u00a0very beneficial for cyclists<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>as it help<\/span>s<\/span>\u00a0build\u00a0<\/span>some of the muscles most crucial\u00a0<\/span>on the bike<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>such\u00a0<\/span>as\u00a0<\/span>gl<\/span>utes, quadriceps, hamstrings, core, and hip muscles<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Plus, the beautiful scenery you can see while hiking is not something to be missed!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Swimming<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>A<\/span>fter a\u00a0<\/span>long and strenuous ride, there\u2019<\/span>s something<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>altogether<\/span>\u00a0appealing about submerging your body into cool water and taking a long swim. If your\u00a0<\/span>body is<\/span>\u00a0feeling worn out after a competition<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0then adding swimming\u00a0<\/span>to your regime\u00a0<\/span>is a great way of replenishing your body while still staying fit<\/span>; it<\/span>\u00a0allows you to build up strength\u00a0<\/span>and<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>maintain<\/span>\u00a0cardio levels<\/span>, while<\/span>\u00a0the low\u00a0<\/span>impact\u00a0<\/span>levels are<\/span>\u00a0ideal for recovery<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0O<\/span>nce you\u2019ve mastered your form, swimming can also help you with your breathing capacity<\/span>\u00a0and lengthen your hip flexors<\/span>. This sport is a great way to train while still\u00a0<\/span>enjoying the feeling of something completely removed from life on the bike<\/span>!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Weights \/ Strength training<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Although\u00a0<\/span>pumping iron<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>might not be the first thing to come<\/span>\u00a0to mind when thinking of w<\/span>ays to improve your cycling, it\u2019s actually\u00a0<\/span>one of the most beneficial things you can add to your\u00a0<\/span>workout<\/span>\u00a0regime.\u00a0<\/span>Due to its low impact,<\/span>\u00a0cycling is not the best option for supporting bone density, which may leave you more susceptible to osteoporosis. Strength training can help by building up stronger bones,\u00a0<\/span>meaning you are less likely to experience pain and will be able to ride for longer. Engaging in some form of strength training also helps to\u00a0<\/span>tighten your<\/span>\u00a0core and make it more powerful, again having a massive impact on your riding stamina.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Yoga\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Yoga is a versatile sport that can improve your flexibility, endurance and focus. This is the perfect accompaniment to cycling as its slower pace allows you to realign your muscles, control your breathing and\u00a0<\/span>\u2013 vitally! \u2013\u00a0<\/span>relax<\/span>. By taking time out to practice yoga, you\u2019ll soon find yourself more comfortable on your bike and notice the improvement of your breathing. Yoga is a very accessible sport as all you need is a comfortable mat and space to move. There are also plenty of tutorials online ranging from five minutes up.\u00a0<\/span>A<\/span>\u00a0quick\u00a0<\/span>and quality\u00a0<\/span>way to improve your cycling,\u00a0<\/span>as well as benefitting from the much-discussed stress relief that yogis love?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>That\u2019s a w<\/span>in-win!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Before you set off<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0on your next cycle<\/span><\/i><\/b>, check out\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b>our top\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b>Irish\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b>cycling routes to try this year\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b>here<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

You\u00a0might\u00a0be an avid cycling enthusiast,\u00a0but\u00a0that isn\u2019t to say that you should restrict yourself to\u00a0saddle-based activity only.\u00a0Whether you\u2019re\u00a0recovering\u00a0from\u00a0an\u00a0injury,\u00a0hoping to\u00a0strengthen other muscle […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":96,"featured_media":1237,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"global-categories":[73],"class_list":["post-1236","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-road-cycling","global-categories-cycling"],"yoast_head":"\nFive Sports That Complement A Cycling Lifestyle - \u0160koda We Love Cycling - Ireland<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/ie\/2020\/02\/07\/five-sports-that-complement-a-cycling-lifestyle\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Five Sports That Complement A Cycling Lifestyle\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"You\u00a0might\u00a0be an avid cycling enthusiast,\u00a0but\u00a0that isn\u2019t to say that you should restrict yourself to\u00a0saddle-based activity only.\u00a0Whether you\u2019re\u00a0recovering\u00a0from\u00a0an\u00a0injury,\u00a0hoping to\u00a0strengthen other muscle […]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/ie\/2020\/02\/07\/five-sports-that-complement-a-cycling-lifestyle\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"\u0160koda We Love Cycling - 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