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How many calories are burned by cycling?

bike to work commute

Cycling is a fantastic way to burn calories and maintain a healthy body weight. The number of calories burned during cycling can vary depending on various factors such as intensity, duration, terrain, and the cyclist’s weight and fitness level.

Calories are a unit of measurement used to quantify the amount of energy released when food is metabolised in the body. The energy in food is stored as calories, which the body uses for various functions such as physical activity, digestion, and metabolism. When we engage in physical activity, our bodies burn calories to provide energy to our muscles, which allows us to perform the activity.

Cycling is a great form of aerobic exercise that can help you burn calories and improve your cardiovascular fitness. Depending on the intensity of your cycling workout, you can burn anywhere from 200 to 1000 calories per hour. A leisurely bike ride at a moderate pace will burn fewer calories than a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) session on a stationary bike or cycling up steep hills.

Cycling on a flat surface at a moderate pace burns approximately 400 to 500 calories per hour for an average adult. This number can vary depending on factors such as weight and fitness level, but it’s a good estimate to start with. If you’re cycling at a higher intensity, you can burn more calories in a shorter period. For example, cycling at a high-intensity level for 30 minutes can burn approximately 300 to 500 calories, depending on your weight and fitness level.

Calories burned whilst cycling comparison chart

When you’re cycling, the number of calories you burn depends on the resistance you’re working against. For example, cycling uphill or against strong headwinds requires more energy and burns more calories than cycling on a flat surface. A 150-pound person cycling at a moderate pace can burn approximately 400 calories per hour on a flat surface. However, if they’re cycling uphill, they can burn up to 650 calories per hour.

Another factor that can affect the number of calories burned while cycling is the duration of the workout. The longer you cycle, the more calories you burn. A one-hour cycling workout can burn approximately 400 to 500 calories, but if you cycle for two hours, you can burn up to 800 to 1000 calories. For a better idea of how many calories you might be burning, you can also use an online calorie calculator.

In summary, cycling is an excellent way to burn calories and improve your cardiovascular fitness. The number of calories burned during cycling can vary depending on factors such as intensity, duration, terrain, and the cyclist’s weight and fitness level. The higher the intensity and resistance, the more calories you’ll burn, and the longer you cycle, the more calories you’ll burn. So, if you’re looking to burn calories and improve your fitness, cycling is a great exercise to add to your routine.