Is Cycling good for Weight Loss?

Benefits of Cycling

Some of the benefits of cycling are:

• It helps lose weight and lower body fat levels.

• It helps strengthen your leg muscles as it targets quads, glutes, hamstrings, and calves.

• It may help lower cholesterol levels which can boost cardiovascular health and lower chances of stroke and heart attack.

• It boosts mental health and brain power. Studies also suggest that cycling can help improve cognitive functioning and well-being for older adults.

• It helps improve balance, posture, and coordination.

• It is low impact workout which makes it a great option for those who have joint concerns or overall stiffness.

What parts of the body does cycling target?

Cycling works several muscles in your lower body, including your quads, glutes, hamstrings and hips, but when it's done vigorously for exercise, your abs are also getting a great workout.

How to lose weight with cycling?

If you’re looking to lose a few pounds with cycling, here are four key strategies for weight loss.

1. Increase the intensity

The faster you cycle, the more calories you’ll burn. And the more calories you burn, the more weight you are likely to lose. Steady, moderate cycling burns about 300 calories in 60 minutes, but you can burn more than that if you increase the intensity.

2. Opt for high-intensity interval training (HIIT)

This type of exercise can be a great way to challenge yourself and it can help you with weight loss as it burns more calories in less time. HIIT involves short bursts of intense exercise alternated with intervals of low-intensity exercise.

3. Push yourself

Trying to go a little further when you think you’ve had enough will help to build your endurance. So, if you start with 10 to 15 minutes of cycling in one session, you could then slowly add on a few minutes to each session until you’ve reached at least 150 minutes of cycling in a week.

4. Consider cross-training

This is a great way to add variety to your workouts by alternating activities. For instance, you might hop on your bike for a long outdoor ride one day, then head over to the gym to lift weights the following day.

Safety tips to follow while cycling

Biking, especially when done outdoor can come with certain risks. To stay safe while you’re biking, be sure to follow these safety tips:

• Wear a helmet

• Right on right side of the road

• Watch out for road hazards

• Don’t wear headphones or use any gadgets that can impair your ability to hear other vehicles around you.