The Momentum Club

During my recent trip to Amsterdam, one thing is clearing obvious, the amount of bikes. Luckily it wasn’t my first time visiting the city, but this time I had brought a whole new perspective to the matter. As I’m training up to be a personal trainer, one thing struck me really hard that is embedded in Dutch culture which is the use of bikes.

Now if you have visited Amsterdam you will know exactly what I’m on about, there’s thousands of bikes and I mean thousands. A tour guide we had shared a stat that on average Dutch people have 3 bikes, which blew my mind as in the UK it seams that nobody owns bikes nowadays.

The UK way of thinking is cycling on roads is an inconvenience which I can totally agree with however in the Netherlands the infrastructure is far superior to anything the UK has to offer. For one there are cycling lanes everywhere you look (beware of the cyclists in Amsterdam they are unforgiving), proper cyclist traffic lights and huge cycle parks to leave your bikes.

Not only are the Dutch more forgiving to cyclists they actively encourage the activity which is so refreshing. So comes on to where the UK can learn. From a fitness stand cycling is an excellent way to gain fresh air, to gain cardio vascular endurance and stamina so why don’t we encourage it? Yes, there are cycle to work schemes and the like but who really takes up that offer? Cycling outside in the UK is often fraught with danger with a number of accidents involving cyclists each year. More importantly the infrastructure is poor. There are very few cycle lanes, there are no cycle traffic lights and when cars pass it sometimes can be a tight squeeze.

So why is cycling so good and what are the Dutch gaining out of it?

• It’s low impact – compared to other exercises like running (especially on tarmac) it has a lower impact on the the joints and causes fewer injuries.
• It’s not just good for stamina but also strength and aerobic fitness.
• It can be as intense as you like. Whether you are training using a bike for high intensity or cycling to work at a low speed, the benefits of cycling still remain the same.
• Cycling is an overall good workout. When we cycling all the main muscle groups are working out.

It seems from where I am there is a lack of want when it comes to fitness in the UK. We often hear about an obesity crisis in the country but if you look at our Dutch friends across the water at what life could be if investment was put in place to add proper cycling provisions in place this could really impact our country’s health in a more positive way.

A quick side note to end this blog. As many of you know I am currently studying to become a PT, so will be looking to publish more physical health related articles. If there is any topic you want to hear about let me through my social channels.