Although riding a motorcycle is considered to be fun and adventurous, it offers additional benefits you may not think of while on the open road. Spending time on your motorcycle can improve your health and well-being. Here are a few ways that riding a motorcycle can enhance your health. If you're inspired to get in shape, North County Indian Motorcycle® has new and pre-owned inventory. Stop by our San Marcos and Corona, California, locations, serving San Diego and Oceanside.
Improve Your Mental Outlook
Riding a motorcycle is an excellent way of reducing your stress levels and getting a break from your busy schedule. It can be what you need to boost your mood because of the endorphins it releases. Having the sun on your skin and the wind in your hair will make you feel better about yourself and can bring you happiness. This can improve your mental health and may increase your lifespan.
Burn Calories
Most people don't correlate riding a motorcycle with losing weight, but the activity is an excellent way of shedding excess fat on the body. It requires a lot of strength and effort to operate a motorcycle. While driving a car is easy to do because you only have to sit and turn the steering wheel, it takes more effort to maneuver your bike and keep it upright while riding.
Increase Your Neck Strength
Motorcycles can help you gain strength and build the muscles in your neck, which can also be therapeutic. You have to maintain proper posture and support the weight of the helmet, which can make your neck stronger over time. The bike should be fitted correctly for your body to avoid placing excess strain on your neck and back.
Strengthen Your Legs
Riding a motorcycle is one of the best ways to strengthen your legs, specifically your knees and thighs. The strength needed to operate the motorcycle is similar to physical therapy and will boost your lower body strength. Although you may experience a few aches and pains in the beginning, they'll go away as your legs start to become stronger the more you ride your motorcycle.
Build Your Abdominal Muscles
Not only will your legs get stronger, but you can also strengthen your abdomen because of how much you'll rely on your core muscles to operate your bike. This can allow you to burn a lot of belly fat and even become more toned. You'll rely on your body to maneuver and steer the motorcycle every time you take it out for a ride.
Are you interested in finding the right motorcycle to enjoy riding? You can explore the options available at North County Indian Motorcycle® at our locations in San Marcos and Corona, California, serving residents of San Diego and Oceanside.
FAQs
Brain Chemicals
As most bikers would know, riding your motorcycle releases plenty of feel-good chemicals into your brain. When you do something you enjoy, your brain releases endorphins and adrenaline. These chemicals then energize you and bring positivity that you can feel even long after you're done with your ride.
What does riding a motorcycle do to your brain? ›
Brain Chemicals
As most bikers would know, riding your motorcycle releases plenty of feel-good chemicals into your brain. When you do something you enjoy, your brain releases endorphins and adrenaline. These chemicals then energize you and bring positivity that you can feel even long after you're done with your ride.
Why is riding a motorcycle so therapeutic? ›
The feeling of riding a motorcycle out on the open road can provide a sense of calm and relaxation that is hard to find in other activities. The focus and concentration required for safe riding can also help clear your mind and provide a sense of mindfulness.
Does riding a motorcycle count as exercise? ›
When most people think of motorcycle riding the first thing that comes to mind may not be “physical fitness”. It definitely isn't exercise bike either. Riding a motorcycle is anything but lethargic. It takes physical exertion.
Why do I feel good after riding motorcycle? ›
There's no denying the adrenaline rush that comes from a motorcycle ride. This thrill, this exhilaration, stimulates the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. This biochemical reaction partially explains the sheer joy many riders experience.
Are motorcycles good for mental health? ›
90% of motorcyclists surveyed said that they believe that motorcycling has a positive effect on their mental health and wellbeing. While 62% said they regularly or occasionally experienced poor mental health, their passion and the motorcycling community directly contributes to improving their mental health.
Does riding a motorcycle burn belly fat? ›
Build Your Abdominal Muscles
Not only will your legs get stronger, but you can also strengthen your abdomen because of how much you'll rely on your core muscles to operate your bike. This can allow you to burn a lot of belly fat and even become more toned.
Do motorcycles boost testosterone? ›
A study published in the journal Evolution and Human Behavior found that men who engaged in risk-taking behavior, such as motorcycle riding, had higher levels of testosterone compared to men who did not engage in such behavior (Nave et al., 2011).
Does riding a motorcycle help with anxiety? ›
In the eyes of the uninitiated, motorcycle therapy seems to be an oxymoron. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Experienced motorcycle riders have long understood motorcycle riding yields benefits like reduced stress and anxiety.
Is riding a motorcycle good for your health? ›
Full-Body Workout
As you ride, you engage your core, back, neck, and shoulders to maintain a proper riding posture. You also engage your leg muscles as you steer. When you think about it, riding your motorcycle is like a full-body workout that's much more enjoyable than hitting the gym and doing a bunch of reps.
Stress reduction is a major factor in this; the physical activity of riding a motorcycle can help you work out your stress and tension, while the mental focus required to navigate unfamiliar roads and changing conditions helps you to stay focused.
How many miles should I ride my motorcycle a day? ›
On a comfortable motorcycle with a large gas tank, a determined enough rider can ride up to 1,000 miles in a 24-hour span—this is commonly referred to as an Iron Butt. However, it's more realistic for the average rider to travel between 200 and 400 miles in a day.
Does riding a motorcycle give you muscle? ›
Motorcycle riding will definitely build some muscles, but not in obvious ways like working a body part in the gym. Riding is more of a total body workout, but it does work some particular muscles like the core, wrists, and arms.
Why is riding a motorcycle so addictive? ›
Riding motorcycles promotes the generation and release of endorphins while reducing the activity of cortisol, a stress hormone linked with feelings of tension and anxiety. Therefore, with regular motorcycle use you may find yourself in a happier state of mind with an overall better quality of life.
Does riding a motorcycle make you happier? ›
Riding a motorcycle can give you an adrenaline rush and make you feel happier, due to a release of dopamine. This hormone controls mental, emotional, and motor responses. The endorphins being released into your body while you ride, make you associate riding with happiness and freedom.
What is motorcycle fatigue? ›
UNDERSTAND MOTORCYCLE FATIGUE
If you're not prepared to handle the rigors of hours behind the handlebars, you could suffer from mental and physical fatigue. Without adequate breaks, even an experienced rider's hands begin to stiffen and reaction times naturally decline.
What are the side effects of riding a motorcycle? ›
Exposure to heat and cold
Motorcyclists can be prone to heatstroke in hot weather – especially when wearing full safety gear. At the same time, riding in very cold weather or rain can come with an increased risk of hypothermia. Most motorcyclists don't experience these health problems.
Although riding a motorcycle is considered to be fun and adventurous, it offers additional benefits you may not think of while on the open road. Spending time on your motorcycle can improve your health and well-being. Here are a few ways that riding a motorcycle can enhance your health. If you're inspired to get in shape, North County Indian Motorcycle® has new and pre-owned inventory. Stop by our San Marcos and Corona, California, locations, serving San Diego and Oceanside.