Biking is a beneficial activity that helps builds muscle, improves breathing, burns calories, and is fun to do as well. This article provides information on the number of calories you burn while cycling.
Bicycles came on road in the nineteenth century. Originally, they were used only for transport, but these days they are also used for sports and recreation. Unicycle, tricycle, quadricycle, etc., are some of the types of cycles. Biking is a popular form of aerobic exercise that is preferred for losing weight. The number of calories burned depends on the intensity.
Mountain biking is a popular sport which involves riding bicycles over rough, rocky, and dusty terrain. The participants use specially adapted mountain bikes. These days, exercise bikes provide the easiest way of losing weight. Cycling has become an indoor activity now. You can even use the stationary cycles to burn calories and maintain/lose weight.
Reference Chart (Speed → Calories Lost)
| Bicycling (Activity Performed for 1 Hour) | 130 lbs | 155 lbs | 190 lbs |
| Speed < 10mph, leisure | 237 | 280 | 347 |
| Speed > 20mph, racing | 943 | 1125 | 1380 |
| Speed 10 – 11.9mph, light effort | 355 | 420 | 519 |
| Speed 12-13.9mph, moderate effort | 470 | 565 | 690 |
| Speed 14 – 15.9mph, vigorous effort | 590 | 705 | 865 |
| Speed 16 – 19mph, very fast, racing | 705 | 845 | 1035 |
| Bicycling, BMX or mountain | 500 | 595 | 730 |
| Stationary, general | 295 | 355 | 435 |
| Stationary, light effort | 325 | 385 | 475 |
| Stationary, moderate effort | 412 | 493 | 602 |
| Stationary, very light effort | 175 | 210 | 260 |
| Stationary, very vigorous effort | 735 | 880 | 1075 |
| Stationary, vigorous effort | 620 | 740 | 905 |
Scientists and researchers have studied the oxygen consumption of athletes and concluded the following:
(Speed – Calories burned)
10 mph – 0.17
15 mph – 0.2
20 mph – 0.25
25 mph – 0.3
30 mph – 0.38
To figure out calories burned biking per mile, take your body weight and multiply it by the calorie consumption as mentioned above, as per the speed. For instance, a 120-pound man biking at 20 mph will burn 30 calories per mile (120 pounds x 0.25), and a 140-pound man biking at the same speed will burn 35 calories (140 pounds x 0.25).
To estimate how many calories you will burn during a bike ride, multiply the calorie factor by your weight and miles biked. For instance, a 140 lbs. biker, biking 20 miles at 15 miles per hour will burn 560 calories (140 pounds x 20 miles x 0.2).
Calorie burning is essential to control your weight. Whatever you eat or drink, everything contains some amount of calories, and calories are burned when you are physically active. Regular’ exercise plays an important role in effective weight loss and weight maintenance. Whether you play sports, go to a gym for working out, or do household chores, performing any activity that keeps you physically active is beneficial. All such activities when combined with a balanced diet and healthy eating habits, provide the easiest, economical, and efficient way to control your weight.
Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only. Always consult a physician before starting any physical fitness program in order to reduce the risk of injury.
