Cycling isn't just a leisurely activity or a mode of transportation; it's a powerful tool for weight loss and overall health improvement. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned rider, hopping on a bike and hitting the road can offer numerous benefits for shedding that extra weight.
Here are eight reasons why cycling – whether outdoors, or indoors with a cycling app like ROUVY – is a healthy and effective way to lose weight.
Cycling burns calories efficiently
Cycling is a highly effective cardiovascular exercise that can help you burn a significant amount of calories. The number of calories burned depends on factors such as your weight, intensity of cycling, and duration. On average, cycling at a moderate pace of around 18-22 kilometres per hour can burn anywhere from 400 to 750 calories per hour.
Safe, low-impact exercise
Unlike high-impact exercises, cycling is gentle on the joints. This makes it an excellent option for individuals with joint pain or those who are overweight and looking to avoid excessive strain on their bodies.
Cycling allows you to get a rigorous workout without the risk of any impact-related injuries, which can more easily be picked up through sports such as running.
Builds muscle and speeds up metabolism
Cycling primarily targets the muscles in the lower body, including the quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, and glutes. As you pedal, these muscles are engaged and strengthened, leading to improved muscle tone and increased calorie expenditure, even at rest. Additionally, cycling boosts your metabolism, which means you'll continue to burn calories even after you've finished your ride.
Versatility
Combining outdoor rides with the convenience of training on an indoor cycling app like ROUVY means you have plenty of options to suit your preferences and lifestyle. Outdoor cycling offers the added benefits of fresh air, scenic routes, and the excitement of exploration, while indoor cycling provides a controlled environment with no concerns about weather conditions, time of day, or traffic.
And on ROUVY, boredom is never an issue as you can cycle 1,300+ real routes from around the world. Indoor riding also adds the convenience factor of being able to hop on and ride any time. You don’t always have time for an outdoor ride, but even a quick session on ROUVY before or after work is an effective way to burn calories and boost your metabolism.
Accessible to all fitness levels
One of the great things about cycling is that it can be adapted to accommodate individuals of all fitness levels. Beginners can start with short, leisurely rides and gradually increase the intensity and duration as their fitness improves. With time and consistency, even the most inexperienced riders can achieve significant weight loss and fitness gains.
ROUVY offers a wide selection of easy-to-follow workouts and training plans (some designed specifically for losing weight) that are suitable for all fitness levels. Unlike the monotonous stationary bike sessions you might have done in the past, workouts on ROUVY are done on real routes. You can find a primer on how to do a workout over on the ROUVY channel at YouTube.
