New Delhi: A vibrant crowd gathered this Sunday for the latest iteration of the “Sundays on Cycle” initiative, an event designed to encourage communities to come together for cycling, exercise, and open-air fitness activities. The event successfully reinforced the message that preventive health starts with everyday action, positioning fitness as a crucial first step toward a healthier and more resilient India.
Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, led the latest edition of ‘Sundays on Cycle (SOC)’, a nationwide initiative aimed at promoting fitness and healthy living among citizens, in New Delhi today. This week’s special partners were doctors and health professionals, underscoring the critical role of preventive health and the importance of physical activity in combating lifestyle diseases such as obesity.
In addition to the main cycling rides, participants engaged in a variety of other curated fitness activities. These included high-energy sessions of Zumba, focused Rope Skipping drills, and calming Yogasana. These diverse activities were designed to cater to every age group, and they also served as effective warm-up routines for the participating cyclists.
A key highlight of today’s event was the inclusion of medical professionals. Their presence underscored the importance of health education and regular physical activity in maintaining well-being. The community-centric format, combining physical activity with professional health guidance, aims to inspire a lasting commitment to fitness among all residents.
Cycling is a low-impact exercise, meaning it puts minimal stress on your joints, particularly your knees, ankles, and hips, compared to high-impact activities like running. This makes it ideal for individuals with joint pain, recovering from injuries, or those who are older. Despite being low-impact, it provides an exceptional aerobic workout, significantly improving your cardiovascular fitness.
Regular cycling strengthens your heart and lungs, lowering your resting heart rate and blood pressure, which collectively reduces your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Cycling is an efficient way to burn calories and manage weight. The exact number of calories burned depends on intensity and duration, but a consistent, moderate-to-vigorous ride can burn hundreds of calories per hour. Because it’s a relatively easy activity to sustain for longer periods, it becomes an effective tool for creating a calorie deficit necessary for weight loss or maintenance.