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How many calories do we burn cycling?
All you need to know about cycling cycling
Do you know how many calories you can burn when cycling for 30 minutes or 1 hour? By entering your overall activity time and your weight in kilos, you can get an idea of how many calories you burn cycling.
Cycling: A few examples of energy expenditure depending on weight and activity time.
Use the table below to see how many calories you can burn cycling!
Cycling
Low intensity
Expenditure in Kilocalories
| Weight | 15 minutes | 30 minutes | 1 hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 kg | 42 | 84 | 168 |
| 50 kg | 53 | 105 | 210 |
| 60 kg | 63 | 126 | 252 |
| 70 kg | 74 | 147 | 294 |
| 80 kg | 84 | 168 | 336 |
| 90 kg | 95 | 189 | 378 |
Cycling
High intensity
Expenditure in Kilocalories
| Weight | 15 minutes | 30 minutes | 1 hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 kg | 74 | 147 | 294 |
| 50 kg | 92 | 184 | 368 |
| 60 kg | 110 | 221 | 441 |
| 70 kg | 129 | 257 | 515 |
| 80 kg | 147 | 294 | 588 |
| 90 kg | 165 | 331 | 662 |
Bike
Moderate intensity (22-30kmh)
Expenditure in Kilocalories
| Weight | 15 minutes | 30 minutes | 1 hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 kg | 105 | 210 | 420 |
| 50 kg | 131 | 263 | 525 |
| 60 kg | 158 | 315 | 630 |
| 70 kg | 184 | 368 | 735 |
| 80 kg | 210 | 420 | 840 |
| 90 kg | 236 | 473 | 945 |
Bike
High intensity (>30kmh)
Expenditure in Kilocalories
| Weight | 15 minutes | 30 minutes | 1 hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 kg | 147 | 294 | 588 |
| 50 kg | 184 | 368 | 735 |
| 60 kg | 221 | 441 | 882 |
| 70 kg | 257 | 515 | 1029 |
| 80 kg | 294 | 588 | 1176 |
| 90 kg | 331 | 662 | 1323 |
See detailed calculations and metabolic equivalent for cycling
All you need to know about cycling cycling
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CYCLING
Cycling is an excellent way to lose weight and have fun at the same time. Whether as a physical activity or as a mode of transport par excellence, cycling is booming! For city dwellers who no longer want to pay €2,500 a year for the upkeep of their beautiful car and sculpt a dream body on the way to work, the choice is easy: cycling offers all these combined benefits(health and economy).
Cycling also has a number of fitness benefits: it increases breathing capacity, is gentle on the joints and strengthens the back.
But don’t forget about your safety! That’s why you need to ride your bike in bright colors (ideally a fluorescent yellow vest), and don’t forget to wear a helmet. It’s worth remembering that 2-wheelers are the victims of numerous accidents in urban areas, which could often be avoided by more responsible, anticipatory driving.
As well as being an excellent way to lose weight and tone up, cycling also has a positive impact on mental health. Pedaling in the open air, whether on the way to work or for a leisurely ride, helps to reduce stress and improve mood. It’s an effective way to disconnect from the daily routine and enjoy the benefits of nature.
What’s more, cycling is an activity that can be adapted to all fitness levels. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cyclist, you can adjust the intensity of your ride to suit your abilities and goals. It’s an inclusive activity that can be enjoyed at any age.
Finally, don’t forget the importance of equipment. A well-maintained bike, adapted to your size and use, will enable you to ride safely and efficiently. And don’t forget useful accessories like a tire repair kit, a bicycle pump and a quality anti-theft device.
Some benefits of cycling:
Regular cycling has many virtues for both the mind and the body. Cycling in the open air helps :
- Build endurance, strengthens the heart muscle and improves breathing
- Improve venous circulation in the legs, relieving heavy legs
- Strengthen muscles and bones
- Reduce stress and anxiety
Finally, cycling is an excellent way to help protect the environment. By choosing to cycle rather than drive, you reduce your carbon footprint, help reduce air pollution and contribute to the reduction of road traffic. Cycling is not only good for your health and your wallet, it’s also good for our planet.
How to calculate the number of calories burned when cycling
The result displayed is expressed in Kcal and is calculated from the MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task). The MET for each activity is the result of statistical data and cannot therefore be interpreted as an exact calculation, but rather as an estimate taking into account the MET value and the ratio between the time spent doing an activity and the weight of the individual.
For example: the MET value for cycling with a light effort (family outing) is 4. This means that a person cycling consumes 4 times more energy than at rest during the session.
MET values for different levels of cycling intensity
- Low intensity MET = 4
- Medium intensity MET = 7
- High intensity (22-30km/h) MET = 10
- Very high intensity (> 30km/h) MET = 14
Discover the detailed formula to calculate your daily energy expenditure while cycling
Consumption in Kcal per minute = (METs*3.5*Weight in kilos)/200
This gives for a 60-kilo person cycling (at low intensity) for 30 minutes:
Consumption in Kcal per minute = (4*3.5*60)/200 = 4.2 Kcal/mn
So for 30 minutes = 4.2*30 = 126 kcal for 30 minutes
For the same amount of time and with low intensity of between 22 and 30km/h, the same cyclist will expend around 315 kilocalories.
