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Heart Health

Cycling: A low-impact exercise that helps the heart

November 1, 2021

By Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter

From small, under-desk cycles to high-tech stationary bikes, there’s a pedaling machine to suit all fitness levels.

They say you never forget how to ride a bike. So even if you haven’t ridden one in decades, you might be pleasantly surprised to find it easy to take up cycling later in life. More good news: Recent research suggests this popular exercise may help people live longer (see "Cycling linked to lower risk of death from heart disease").

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About the Author

Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter

Julie Corliss is the executive editor of the Harvard Heart Letter. Before working at Harvard, she was a medical writer and editor at HealthNews, a consumer newsletter affiliated with The New England Journal of Medicine. She … See Full Bio

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Recent Articles

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Workout Workbook: 9 complete workouts to help you get fit and healthy

The numbers are shocking. Just two out of 10 American adults meet recommended levels of physical activity. Nearly three out of 10 Americans ages 6 and older admit they aren’t active at all, despite reams of research proving that exercise is a powerful preventive, and sometimes an antidote, for disability and illness. This Special Health Report, Workout Workbook: 10 complete workouts to help you get fit and healthy, features nine excellent workouts that will challenge your body and spirit in a variety of ways while warding off boredom.

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