Hip pain can be a debilitating condition. Osteoarthritis and necrosis are two bone diseases that affect strength and mobility in your hips Strength and range of motion exercises help improve joint function. Cycling is one means of low-impact exercise beneficial for your hips. One form of stationary cycle frequently used in physical therapy keeping the hips and knees moving, and the muscles around the joints strong, contributes greatly to protecting the joints and staving off additional damage caused by arthritis While the major hip muscle, called the abductor, is not one of the primary muscles used for cycling, it does assist in the movement needed for cycling, which helps it to grow in terms of muscle tone. Your hips also become more toned when you cycle simply because you are burning fat as you pump your legs. In addition, the additional muscle growth in your other leg muscles will help to burn calories quicker when you eat, helping you to metabolize food as fuel for muscle instead of fat storage. When you cycle, the thigh muscles that work together to push the pedals are the hamstrings and quadriceps. The hamstrings, the muscles located on the back portion of your leg from your glutes to your knees, create the upward portion of the circular motion. By engaging the leg not only as you push down, but also as you pull up, you will develop better muscle tone and also reduce the pressure you would place on your knees from the repeated downward motion.
