Bike riding can be a great adventurous experience, but it is also a way to help you stay fit and healthy, both physically and mentally. So if you’re asking yourself, “How many calories can you burn riding a bike?” Well, that will depend entirely on various factors, which we will elaborate in this article.
So, if you are interested in knowing more about the relationship between calories and biking, stick with us to find out.
What Are the Benefits of Biking?
When we see people bike, we immediately tend to think that they are exercising or trying to lose weight. However, there’s more to biking than you might think, as it offers various benefits to those people that are committed to it. Below we have listed three of the most important benefits biking provides us.
Transportation
Biking can be utilized as a means of transportation in various situations; getting to work is one of them. With a bike, you will be able to commute to work for less money and stay fit at the same time because you will be able to include regular exercise into your daily schedule. And with biking, not only will you be saving money, but also time. Instead of having to run to the gym right after a long day of work, you can relax at home after your “biking workout”.
Environment
Besides benefiting society, biking, instead of using cars, also helps take care of the environment. The so harmful release of carbon emissions in the air when driving is only damaging more and more our air, and in turn, our health. On the other hand, if people would switch to biking, not only would there be carbon emissions reduction, but there would be less of a need to build parking lots and roadways, all of which contribute to climate change. Biking is less costly and reduces air pollutants, noise pollution, and congestion, so what are you waiting for?
Health Care
Biking can help keep a healthy and balanced life. Calories are a plus when it comes to health benefits as biking can protect you from health diseases such as:
- Stroke
- Heart Attack
- Cancer
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Obesity
What Factors Impact Calorie Burning While Riding?
Let’s start by discussing the connections between bikes and calories. Biking or engaging in regular physical activity yields the same results and significantly impacts our health. However, the number of calories burnt will depend on some factors. So, what then has a more significant impact on calorie burning than usual?
- Weight
- Body composition
- Genes
- Brown fat
- Sleep and hormones
- The type of bike
- The speed of the bike
- The resistance of the bike
So, let’s focus on body weight, speed, and distance, as these are the main factors that impact calorie burning.
Body weight
An important factor in burning calories is body weight. Although you would assume that the less weight you have, the more calories you will burn, this may not always be the case. According to Healthline, a 120-pound individual burns approximately 11.4 calories per minute, whereas a 180-pound person burns an additional 17 calories per minute. Does this imply that you will burn more calories the heavier you are? Yes, because it takes more energy for heavier people to move their bodies, they do burn more calories while exercising.
Speed
Starting at a steady speed is always preferable. It is an effective approach to developing the body’s muscles that further convert oxygen into energy. Even though running at a constant rate may cause you to burn a lot of calories, adding different speed modifications to your workout causes you to burn calories twice as quickly. More calories are burned when running more rapidly.
Distance
Distance plays a significant role in calorie burning. The calories vary depending on speed, distance, and body size. The more miles you run, the more calories you will burn. If a 200-pound cyclist rides 10 miles at a speed of 12 mph, they will burn 635 calories. The impact of distance on calorie burning is shown by the fact that the same person would burn 1,905 calories if they rode their bike for more than 30 miles at a speed of 12 mph.
How Many Calories Can You Burn Riding a Bike?
In this section, we’ll explore how many calories you burn when you ride a bike. While riding, the average person expends 450–750 calories per hour. It is important to remember that this will be different from person to person, as every individual’s organism is unique.
How can I know how many calories I’m burning during my exercises, you could ask? Well, you could always turn to Google, where you can find a variety of calorie calculators that are quick and easy to use. Of course, they provide an approximate result based on your weight, how long you biked for, the distance, and the speed.
According to Harvard, a 155-pound person can burn 252 calories in 30 minutes while riding a stationary bike at a moderate effort. On the other hand, if the intensity is changed to vigorous, the same person can burn 369 calories.
Do You Burn More Calories Riding a Bike or Walking?
Both walking and cycling lead to the same result: burning calories. You might wonder which one burns more calories. Biking is the best option if you want to burn the most calories in the shortest amount of time because, at a high intensity, a 150-pound person can burn 357 calories in a single 30-minute high-intensity session. On the other hand, if walking, a 150-pound person can burn 250 calories in a high-intensity session.
The Bottom Line
Exercise is crucial for maintaining good health since it reduces your risk of developing conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and stroke. In addition, it burns calories, so crucial if you want to keep a healthy body weight. It’s time to take control of the situation and make positive changes in your life. So go ahead and start your day with a bike workout and make the most of it!
