Cycling is a beautiful and adaptable exercise that significantly helps in weight loss. Unlike other exercises, cycling is an enjoyable way to burn calories and improve heart health. It helps raise your metabolism by effectively engaging your muscle groups, vital to weight loss. Weight loss is one of the many benefits of cycling that leads to great fitness and overall well-being. Since it’s low-impact and eco-friendly, it is an ideal exercise for anyone looking to shed some extra kilos. Let’s look at the benefits of cycling daily in this article.
Science Behind Weight Loss and Cycling
Cycling is a powerful exercise for weight loss as it increases metabolism and burns calories. Your body uses the stored carbohydrates and fats as energy for riding. Your metabolism increases as your heart rate rises and muscle starts to work. This helps in burning calories even after you have finished cycling. Over time, this excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), also known as the post-cycling metabolic surge, plays a crucial role in burning calories and aids in weight loss. Moreover, cycling also helps in muscle building. As soon as you pedal, your leg muscles are extensively engaged. This muscle engagement burns calories and helps in long-term weight management. Hence, the health benefits of cycling are not limited to burning calories but also to maintaining a healthy weight.
How Much to Cycle for Weight Loss?
No fixed time or amount of cycling must be done to reduce weight. The amount varies for each individual depending on age, sex, exercise intensity, genetics, medication history, etc. Also, cycling does not only mean outdoor cycling; even indoor cycling machines can help you achieve your weight loss goals. In fact, as per a study conducted by Harvard University, there are benefits of cycling exercise machine in losing weight. Moderate exercise on these machines can help you burn between 210 – 294 calories in 30 minutes. Similarly, vigorous exercise can help you lose 315 – 441 calories in 30 minutes.
Top 3 Excellent Benefits of Cycling
Irrespective of whether you opt for an indoor cycling machine or go out in fresh air, there are benefits of cycling everyday. Let’s look at them below:
1. Tones Your Body
The first thing that becomes apparent while cycling regularly is that pedalling causes your hamstrings, quads, calves, and glutes to get firmer. Besides, the core muscles also activate because of cycling. Since these core muscles are present in the abdominal area, they help reduce belly fat and tone your body, which is one of the best benefits of cycling for women.
2. Excellent Cardio Exercise
Cycling strengthens the heart and lungs by involving them in similar activities. Thus, the benefits of cycling are more than shedding weight. It can also help prevent high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, lung problems, and other major health concerns, like other aerobic exercises.
3. Increases Endurance and Muscle Strength
If you are a bodybuilder looking to enhance your muscle strength and endurance, cycling can help you, especially for the lower body. The glutes, calves, quadriceps, and hamstrings are just a few of the muscular groups that are worked by the repetitive pedalling motion. One of the best benefits of cycling for men is the increased muscle mass from this muscle engagement. This increases metabolism and makes it easier to burn fat even when you’re at rest.
In Summary
Riding a bicycle is a fun and sustainable way to lose weight. The benefits of cycling are not only to lose fat and burn calories, but it also develops your muscles, elevates your mood, and improves your cardiovascular health. Incorporating cycling to your routine can help you be healthier without the need of any extensive workout regime. So, why wait? Grab your cycling helmet, get on your bike, and enjoy the numerous advantages of cycling.
