How to Avoid Common Cycling Injuries

As the weather begins to warm up, Australians of all ages are getting into the spirit of biking and cycling. Cycling is one the most enjoyable forms of exercise because it is very easy to get started and there are so many places where you can cycle. However, with greater physical activity comes greater chance of injury, especially while cycling. So how can you avoid hurting yourself while you get out and enjoy cycling? We’ll take you through some of the most common cycling injuries and how you can combat or prevent these with proper equipment.

Knee Pain

As with any sport that requires excessive lower body activity, it makes sense that your knees might experience some injury or fatigue when you cycle. This injury can be caused by anything, such as overexerting your muscles or poor peddling form. One easy way to keep knee pain at bay is to practice your form. You will be amazed at how much better your knee will feel once you start peddling appropriately. If you need a more all-encompassing treatment, we recommend a knee brace or sleeve that will help keep your knee aligned while peddling without having to do any extra work. Our Thermoskin Cooper Knee Alignment Sleeve is a great option for controlling knee pain during your rides, as well as lessening knee pain when resting

Lower Back Pain

Whenever you keep your upper body in the same position for an extended period of time, pressure on your vertebrae can build up and the chance of developing lower back pain increases. This can be especially difficult because keeping your upper body stationary is a crucial part of maintaining control over the bike. When your bike will not allow you to change positions without sacrificing control, we recommend wearing the Thermoskin Sacroiliac Support Belt while you are off your bike to help mitigate any back pain. This will make your next bike ride much more comfortable.

Muscle Tightness

If you’re an avid cycler, you are all too familiar with the muscle tightness you experience in your calves and hamstrings once you get off the bike. One very simple way to combat this muscle tightness is to stay hydrated and warm up before you take a long or strenuous ride. Simply letting your muscles get accustomed to more intense movements will keep them from seizing up once you’re finished cycling. Further, you can use our Marble Foam Balance Roller to roll out any muscle tightness or stiffness before and after you cycle to provide more immediate and long lasting relief.

Saddle Sores

Cycling, while a great way to exercise, is one of the few sports that can actually lead to injury from sitting down for too long. When you sit in the same place while you cycle, the friction between your skin, shorts and bike seat can cause painful rashes that make it difficult to enjoy the ride. A very simple remedy to this injury is simply being sure that you are wearing the appropriate cycling garments to prevent any chaffing or inflammation.

Even though cycling can lead to some uncomfortable injuries, there are multiple ways that you can combat this discomfort for a more enjoyable and satisfying experience. Whether you consider yourself a pro or are just starting to dip your toes into the world of cycling, it’s important to think about how to prevent injuries and how to remedy them when afflicted.