Thanks to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve been forced to live as if #onethingless in all areas of our lives. One of the areas that have been greatly affected is our leisure activities. Biking has always been a favourite amongst the younger generations, but for many, it’s become a bit of a chore. In an effort to get back to our old habits (or new ones if you prefer), more and more people are turning to biking as a way of getting some exercise, exploring new places, and connecting with nature.
While biking is still incredibly popular amongst adults, many are now seeing it as a pastime that benefits their physical and mental health. Does biking make you thinner? The answer is yes, as long as you do it right. Before you begin your weight loss journey on a bike, it’s important to understand how to engage in biking safely, how to prepare for a bike ride, and how to ride effectively for maximum health benefits.
How Does Biking Help You Lose Weight?
When you ride a bike, you’re using an exercise bike or an electric bike, your muscles are working, and you’re burning calories. While we can’t promise you’ll drop pounds just by biking, we can tell you that it’s a great way to lose weight if you do it right.
The science behind why biking is so great for weight loss is actually pretty simple – if you’re biking at a high intensity for a long period of time, you’re forcing your body to burn more calories than it would at a leisurely pace. When you reach your target weight, you’ll be able to bike at your desired pace without feeling that you’re working too hard. This in turn will make biking even more appealing. (Read: The Ultimate Guide to Biking for Weight Loss.)
Riding Tips For Thinness
Just as with any workout routine, it’s important to do what the experts say and follow the recommendations when biking for weight loss. Before you begin your journey, it’s crucial that you take a close look at how to safely bike and how to choose the right bike for your needs. When it comes to keeping your weight in check while biking, many different variables can influence the outcome: your bike, your gear, how fast you go, and most importantly, how much effort you put in while biking. If you want to shed those extra pounds, you need to understand all of these variables and find the right balance between them so that you can enjoy your biking experience while still meeting your goals.
The Impact Of Gear On Your Weight Loss
We mentioned earlier that when you speed up while biking, you start using more calories. This is true, but it’s also important to understand how your gear affects this. If you’re using a slower bike, you’ll be able to sustain a higher cadence – or step rate – which in turn will help you burn more calories than you would on a fast bike. When you step faster, your pedaling naturally becomes more efficient, and this allows you to go further before you’ve reached your break-even point. The important thing to realize here is that the gear you use will affect how your weight loss is going to go. You can’t just change out your bike tires and expect things to automatically get better.
The Science Bit
If you think that biking is just for fun or that it isn’t associated with a health benefit, then you’re mistaken. Scientists have actually studied the connection between biking and weight loss and have proven that it is indeed beneficial. Even more impressive is that it’s not just one or two studies that prove this connection, but rather a large number of them that reveal the same positive findings. If you’re interested in reading more, then we recommend that you check out the scientific articles on the topic. Here are some of the highlights from recent studies:
- In a study published in the International Journal of Obesity, researchers suggest that biking may be a new way to combat obesity. They found that overweight and obese individuals who regularly biked spent less time in the kitchen cooking, and gained less weight than those who didn’t regularly bike. (One way to potentially lose weight while biking is to eat while on the move. According to a study published in the International Journal of Obesity, overweight and obese individuals who regularly biked ate 329 kcal less per day on average than those who didn’t ride a bike regularly.)
- A study published in the International Journal of Obesity found that overweight and obese women who rode a bike for 30 minutes three times per week for 12 weeks significantly lowered their body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) compared to those who walked. (The findings of this study suggest that weight loss through biking may be beneficial for overweight and obese women.)
- Some research has even suggested that biking may be more efficient at helping you lose weight than running or walking. In a study published in the International Journal of Obesity, scientists had overweight and obese individuals walk, run, or bike for 30 minutes three times per week for 12 weeks. They found that while all three activities were effective at reducing weight, biking was the most effective way of losing weight. (According to the results of this study, biking may be a better alternative to running or walking when it comes to achieving weight loss.)
- If you’ve been thinking about trying biking as a way of getting healthier, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve compiled a list of everything you need to know about biking and weight loss, so you can start your journey safely and effectively. Don’t forget to read up on the benefits of biking for exercise and recreation too.
The Psychological Aspect
Just like any other form of exercise, biking is not for everybody. Some people may feel more comfortable walking or running rather than biking. However, if you think that biking may be the ultimate form of exercise for you, then you should give it a try. The key is to find a quiet place to ride, away from traffic and other people, and with enough lighting so that you can clearly see the road ahead of you. When you find this perfect place, you’ll realize that biking not only benefits your physical health, but also your mental health. It’s great for stress relief and can help you get those endorphins pumping.
Biking For Weight Loss: How To Start, What To Look Out For, And More.
To help you get started, we’ve put together a complete guide that covers everything you need to know about biking for weight loss. Whether you’re looking for tips on how to lose weight or want to know what exercises you should be doing, this article will enlighten you.
We’ve included everything from how to change your bike gear to avoid injuries, to preparing for a bike ride, to riding tips and how to fix your bike if it breaks down. If you want to lose weight and are looking for a safe way to do so, then biking is an opportunity that awaits you.