Watch the first, second, and third place runs of BMX Street at X Games 2022!
HONEY / Featuring Felix Prangenberg, Riley Smith, Dan Kruk & Jordan Godwin.
Most of us get involved in riding a BMX because it is enjoyable and thrilling, rather than to get exercise, but this is a very welcome side effect of being on your bike. It’s not quite the same as taking up a sport such as soccer where you get good cardio exercise – BMX is great for building upper body strength and getting other types of exercise.
A Dangerous Sport?
Before we start we should note that there will always be some critics who argue that BMX riding isn’t good exercise because it is too dangerous. They point to how common it is for riders to break bones or that helmets might protect your head but do nothing to keep your neck safe. There might be some truth to this but Americans have never really had a problem with a sport being dangerous. Take football as the most obvious example. Players are constantly at risk for concussions and we are only just beginning to understand the dangers of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
Despite this we see millions of parents cheering their kids on in high school and college football and the NFL is America’s favorite sports league. The number of people checking and placing bets on NFL gameday odds shows even more clearly how popular the sport is despite the danger. All this to say that a sport having a bit of risk associated with it isn’t a good enough reason to stop doing it. BMX might be a bit more dangerous than some other activities but the fun and great exercise is worth the risk.
Why BMX makes such great exercise
Let’s look at the reasons why riding a BMX, learning tricks and getting good at bike riding can be really great for your body (and your mind). It also doesn’t matter if you’re 10 (like this incredible young rider) or 40 when you get started.
Burning calories
Often, BMX can be really intense exercise, allowing some people to burn up to 450 calories in around 30 minutes, which is much quicker than a lot of other methods of exercise. This helps to burn calories but also, over time, lowers the levels of fat that reside in your body. The intensity can vary and different people have different ways of riding. If you’re just riding from one place to another then the intensity might not be so high, but if you are going to take on ramps and learn tricks then the intensity is much harder.
Building muscle
If you see someone who has a lot of skill on a BMX, there is every chance you’ll also notice their muscles. Cycling works so many of your muscles, including your hamstrings, calves and quads, and you can grow your upper body strength using your back and your abdominal muscles. These are benefits of any type of cycling, but BMX allows you to cycle in different ways and head to the park and use your handlebars for tricks and maneuvers, which means you are also working your shoulders, chest and your arms.
Building muscles is great for increasing your strength but can also make you generally healthier and aid with weight loss. While it is a myth that you can turn fat into muscle, muscular frames do require more calories and this can mean it is easier to create a calorie deficit and lose weight.
Better heart health
It makes sense when you think about the nature of the exercise, and there have been studies from the Institute of Cardiovascular & Medical Sciences to back up the fact that riding can lower your chances of getting heart disease. BMX gives you short bursts of intensive exercise, which means that your heart will become healthier and this can even help to lower your blood pressure. When you start out on a BMX, you might not be thinking about your heart health too much, but over time, you may start to realize what a big benefit this is. It’s also an argument for starting later in life, as you can improve your fitness even as you get older.
Improves your balance and body coordination
You have to be pretty coordinated to be able to ride a bike and stay upright – your body is constantly being tested for balance and you will improve while riding your BMX. Okay, you’re likely to have a few falls if you are just getting started, but generally, BMX will improve your coordination and help you in other areas of your life. Balance is really important for other sports, too. We’ve already mentioned American football in this guide, and it is easy to see why aspiring NFL players and young athletes might use BMX to get fitter and improve other physical attributes in the process. BMX is also relatively low impact when you want it to be, and you don’t have to risk loads of injuries to get some decent exercise, especially if you wear the correct protective equipment to ensure you don’t get lots of cuts, scrapes or worse.
2022 USA Cycling National Championships // USA BMX Legacy Nationals - Drew Polk
Name: Matheus Moraes Ferreira
Age: 27
Hometown: São Domingos do Prata - MG
Hook-ups/Sponsors: No comply skate shop
The FAT favorite list:
-Spot to ride: All spots
-BMX video: Markit Zero and Deadline
-Food: Eat well
-Person on Instagram: Give Matheus a follow: @moraeesmatheus
-Riders to ride with: All my friends
-Car: My car
-Movie: Comedy
-Colour: Black
-Shoes: Vans
-Bike company: Odyssey
Featuring: Ag, Kenzo, Curry, Jan, Pato, Alex & Frpo
BMX Chai Nat Cup 2, Chai Nat, Thailand - Date 23/04/2022 C1 International Race
UCI BMX Race - MEN ELITE
1. Somkid HARATAWAN, THA 100 UCI points
2. Nonthakon INKHOKSONG, THA 86
3. Saithan PHETNUM, THA 74
4. Chakrit THONG-ON, THA 64
5. Teerawat RATNARMHIN, THA 55
BMX Park Qualification results X Games Chiba 2022
1) Rim Nakamura
2) Logan Martin
3) Daniel Sandoval
4) Declan Brooks
5) Justin Dowell
6) Kevin Peraza
7) Marin Rantes
8) Jeremy Malott
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9) Daniel Dhers
10) Pat Casey
After months of hard work repairing winter damage and the ever growing grass and weeds at the trails it was time for the first session of the year at the Helm Trails in Helmond, Netherlands. And not just a session. Team France, lead by Patrick Guimez, were in town for the C1 comp in Eindhoven and had a session in the morning at the park but they were not done yet for the day. A 20 minute drive East and they had arrived at the Helm trails. With some help from the entire French squad the tarps were removed and the jumps were watered and swept to get them in perfect shape for the maiden session of 2022. Some sections were rebuilt and were tested at the same time but it appeared to be no problem for the French to get through. Istvan Caillet actually completed the 'middle line' first try but he was the only one to do that. It took others a bit longer but personal goals were reached like at all new spots that you visit. The youngsters did well and did not stop.
Quintin Morien started pulling tricks left and right as did Istvan and Thibaut Panaville. Also legendary team coach Patrick Guimez himself showed that at age 44 you can still ride trails and throw some tricks in there also. It is great to see that the freestyle squad is in the hands of someone who has been there and done that. Patrick passes on his experience and has educated the French riders on trails etiquette as well. You case, you repair the damage. You help watering the jumps. You help cover the jumps after the session. You get beer as a thank you to the locals for the session. ;-) even though some of it was radler and 0.0% stuff. It didn't really matter, it's the guesture that counts.
It was the late '80-s when issue number 15 came out and these items made it on the RAD side of the RAD-LAME list: Bresie'Z, Robert's graffitied Renault 14, Speedfreaks video, Vla, Divorze Posse's Demo Tape (that's a cassette by the way....), A Full PO Box, Watching Jason Ellis cutting Mike Canning's hair, Prantl's 360 at the Energie hal, English riders visiting the Leiden freestyle contest, DP's Black Medallion, Advertisers, D-signs designs, On Edge Apparel, DJ Kid Sundance, Tye Dye shirts, 'zines, Lambert's Harley, Mini-ramp Hengelo and Double seatpost clamps.Man, most of these things aren't too hot any longer but back in 1989 they made it on the RAD list. To see what made it on the Lame side, turn to page 17.
We have a Jason Ellis interview in issue 15, a street sk8 comp in Eindhoven, 540 sequence of Albert Moonen, the Circus came to town and brought 2 BMX-ers from England, The Cologne contest Number 2 took place at the Jugendpark, Merijn Bonte got an interview, Free Converse sticker, Divorze Posse live, we had an article about miniramps that were the new thing at the end of the eighties, Matt Pingel had his fair share of contributions in the issue and Martijn Deijkers wrote a scene report on Adelberg, Germany. Andreas Althaus got an interview as well, we had a report on the King Of Concrete, concert report on the Bad Brains and a wrtie up on a demo in Uden.
Dude, what a list! Did you get your cup of coffee yet? Because here comes the full issue.
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.