Not everyone enjoys the same type of exercise – and the key to sticking with an exercise program is finding an activity you love. For some people, taking a brisk outdoor walk is a way to see the landscape while burning calories. Another way to enjoy the great outdoors – and still get a workout – is to ride a bike. But, what if you’re trying to lose a few pounds? Is bike riding good for weight loss?

Is Bike Riding Good for Weight Loss?

A new study recently published in the Archives of Internal Medicine showed that riding a bicycle is a good way to manage weight. Women living in the Netherlands who pedaled a bicycle four hours or more each week were less likely to experience age related weight gain when followed over a sixteen year period. The same held true for women who walked briskly on a regular basis. Both of these activities are effective for managing weight and can be done outdoors or indoors. All it takes for indoor walking and biking is access to a stationary bike or treadmill.

Bike Riding for Weight Loss: How Many Calories Can You Burn?

Bike riding can burn a significant number of calories – depending on the effort put into it. Riding at a moderate speed of thirteen miles per hour burns a little over 500 calories each hour. Pumping up the speed to fifteen miles per hour burns a whopping 750 calories per hour. You’ll expend fewer calories on a stationary bike, but the calorie burn can be increased by altering the resistance.

Other Advantages of Bicycle Riding for Weight Loss

Bicycle riding for weight loss has the advantage of being something most people enjoy. Instead of counting the minutes until a workout is complete, most riders enjoy biking outdoors for hours at a time – which means it’s an easy workout to stick to. Riding a bike also gives the lower body a good workout and even works the all-important abdominal core. For even more motivation and variety, join a bicycle club in your area or bike with a friend. It’s fun to explore new roads and biking trails with another rider. It certainly won’t feel like you’re bicycle riding for weight loss.

Maximizing Calorie Burn to Lose Weight Riding a Bike

To burn more calories riding a bike, don’t bike consistently at the same speed all the time. Vary the speed by throwing in a few fast intervals where you bike as hard as you can and then give your body a chance to recover. Studies show that this type of interval training burns significantly more calories and offers a great cardiovascular workout. This may be easier to do on a stationary bike. When outdoors, make it a point to tackle a few hills to challenge your body to burn more calories.

Is Bike Riding Good for Weight Loss?

Bike riding for weight loss is not only a great way to burn calories, but it’s enjoyable too. Why not give it a try?

References:

Medscape.com. “Bicycling, Brisk Walking, May Help Control Weight in Overweight, Obese Women”

Filed under: Fitness

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