Exercise bike: how to exercise correctly to lose weight. How many calories are burned on a bicycle and exercise bike?
Oddly enough, you have to be either very athletic or very big to achieve the notorious 900 kcal per hour. Athletic people are able to work their muscles quickly, they make more contractions per second, and consume more oxygen. Therefore, their organisms are like huge blast furnaces, and their energy expenditure is corresponding. What cyclist meets these criteria? One that can travel at a speed of 25-30 or more kilometers per hour. Yes, all the time.
Big people also spend a lot. And it doesn’t matter whether it’s a 120-kilogram bodybuilding fan, a 70-kilogram powerlifting athlete, or a girl who just really likes to dine at fast food. The more we weigh, the more positive the answer to the question of who burns how much. So even if you haven't done anything before, this should inspire some optimism, right?
How to increase your fitness?
It’s clear that if you need to lose 3 kilograms, the whole story doesn’t sound very good. But consumption can be increased if you don’t just pedal every day at random, but train like an athlete.
Here's what it means:
- determine the optimal duration of one workout. You don't have to pedal for hours; read reviews about interval cardio and you'll understand. You should strive to go fast, and not for an infinitely long time, and then your body will reciprocate in losing weight. For a beginner, a good result is half an hour at a pulse above 60% of the maximum heart rate (we determine this indicator by subtracting our age from 220). For those who continue, the intensity should be in the 70-75% zone. A person should do no more than 200 minutes of cardio per week. Therefore, 5 workouts of 40 minutes each, or more frequent but shorter sessions will be optimal;
- try not to do the same workouts. To pedal fast, we must increase our strength and endurance. Try our lesson plan below and work for results;
- keep a diary of your activities - take into account speed, heart rate and well-being in order to improve in all respects, and not just exercise for the sake of “served minutes”
Primitive gymnastics
30 minutes a day - and your figure is perfect!
Simple accessible exercises
Effective training of all muscle groups
Visible results in just two weeks
Help and support from an experienced trainer
Weekly plan for home workouts
- Strength for all muscle groups. Additionally - 10 minutes of warm-up on a bike at the beginning, and 1 minute of riding at the highest resistance slowly, and the lowest at an average pace - 30 minutes.
- 40 minutes at a moderate pace without resistance.
- Power. Additionally - 10 minutes of warm-up and alternating 1 minute at maximum speed and 1 minute at a very slow pace. If you cannot work this way yet, take a recovery interval of 2-3 minutes, and try to reduce this time;
- Cross training. Watch a Tai Bo video at home for 40 minutes, or go to a Zumba class at your nearest club. Pedaling too often can get boring. Do you feel tired and sore muscles? An hour of fitness yoga will help you relax. High-quality recovery makes us faster and stronger;
- Again training with weights and a “slide”. 10 minutes of warm-up, plus 2 minutes of riding at an average pace, gradually increasing the load. So you need to twist to the limit, then return in the same two-minute “steps”. The entire active part of the lesson is no more than 20 minutes;
- Recovery day. Ride a regular bike in the park or go for a very light jog. You can just take a walk. It is not necessary to control your pulse during such a session; you should not be tired at all;
- Rest. Go to the sauna if possible or take a bath at home for quality relaxation
In principle, anyone can reach a speed limit of 20 to 25 km/h by doing this style for 8 to 12 weeks.
Video: How to properly exercise on an exercise bike?
How to burn more fat?
However, you need to understand that calorie consumption is not the main parameter for successful weight loss. Everything is important here - how and what we eat, how well we recover and tolerate stress, how our nervous system “works out” them, how high the level of certain hormones is. All these options help to improve a simple healthy lifestyle.
Food and cyclists
Try not to eat like a professional marathon runner. Instead, follow any healthy diet, the Plate Principle, the Food Pyramid, or just count calories. There is no need to strive to increase the load to the point where insomnia begins, constant pain in muscles and ligaments, and training activity begins to “put pressure” on your regime and schedule. Stick to a regular healthy weight loss diet if that is your goal.
Timing of meals
Try not to eat simple carbohydrates before training. We are talking about sweets, fruits and honey. This way you will burn more fat rather than glycogen.
Rest and recovery
The notorious 200 minutes of cardio per week is the maximum recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine. There is no need to consider them the only possible load distribution option. If appetite increases disproportionately, it becomes difficult to follow a diet, and recovery does not occur, the duration of training can and should be reduced.
Control using a monitor
“Smart” heart monitors will help you track both the condition of your heart during exercise and the amount of energy expended. It's definitely worth ordering one if intuitive load level control isn't your thing.
What are your results on the exercise bike? Maybe you set a personal record today? Share with us in the comments!
Exhaustive diets and workouts are not giving results? This problem occurs for many who want to lose excess weight. All you need to do is choose the right trainer.
Advantages of cycling over other types of cardio equipment
Cardio equipment help you lose weight by expending huge amounts of calories as a result of intense exercise, as well as improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system and increase endurance. Unlike a treadmill, orbitrek and other types of cardio equipment, an exercise bike has virtually no contraindications, and only in some cases does a doctor’s consultation be required
To train on it you do not need to buy additional equipment (for example, for training on treadmill you need special sneakers to reduce the load on the spine). An exercise bike can be purchased and installed at home. There are compact models that require a minimum of space (for example, to install the same treadmill, even the simplest one, an area of at least 1.5 × 1 m is required).
Average energy consumption on an exercise bike
The average energy consumption for 1 hour of training on an exercise bike is from 250 to 800 kcal, but the most common indicator is - 350 kcal/hour. This amount is burned during moderate driving, without changing speed throughout the entire workout. But at the same time, few people train for 60 minutes in a row; often the training time is 30–40 minutes, so on average you can burn 175 kcal.
How many calories does an exercise bike burn, depending on the riding speed and weight of the athlete
The average indicator tells little to a person who is seriously thinking about losing weight with the help of an exercise bike. If your goal is lose weight quickly, you need to know how to exercise taking into account the weight and speed of movement in order to achieve results in the shortest possible time. Calorie consumption directly depends on the speed of pedaling, as well as on the athlete’s body weight.
The pattern is as follows: the higher the speed and weight of a person, the greater the energy consumption!
Speed (km/h) | Calorie consumption (kcal) | |||
50 kg | 55 kg | 60 kg | 65 kg | |
14–16 | 270 | 295 | 335 | 350 |
17–20 | 365 | 400 | 445 | 475 |
21–24 | 480 | 510 | 555 | 595 |
25–30 | 585 | 630 | 675 | 725 |
35+ | 770 | 840 | 895 | 970 |
Movement at a speed of 14–16 km/h - initial level, or the first 5 minutes (warm-up). 17–24 km/h is the average speed at which both an experienced athlete and a beginner can move. 25 km/h and above is a speed at which you can achieve results much faster.
In 1 month of intense training, it is quite possible to lose up to 5 kg. And with a balanced diet, the result can be increased by another 20%.
IMPORTANT! Do not try to lose more than 10% of your weight within 1 month, this can be fraught with health problems!
How to exercise on an exercise bike to burn more calories
- Exercise in the morning on an empty stomach. Glycogen (carbohydrate reserves) will begin to be depleted at an active pace, so fat will be burned starting from the first minutes of training.
- Drive at the right speed. To do this you will need to measure your pulse. The most effective fat burning process occurs when the heart rate reaches 70% of the maximum threshold.
PULSE THRESHOLD = 220 – your age
For example, your age 29 years (220 - 29 = 191 beats/min.), so for maximum fat burning your heart rate should be 125–135 beats/min.
- Workout Features: frequency - every other day, duration - 40–50 minutes (or 30–40 minutes of interval training).
Interval training allows you to burn 3–4 times more fat. Upon completion, the body continues to burn fat for another 2 days.
- Track your breath. A high breathing rate (the need for oxygen in the muscles) indicates the breakdown of fats.
This approach to training, combined with proper nutrition, will allow you to get rid of those hated pounds without much difficulty. - Train on professional exercise bikes. These are often intended for commercial purposes and are found in many gyms. They are more informative and made taking into account the anatomical features of the body. Such models of exercise bikes are offered by the FitnessVam online store. In our catalog, gym owners will find professional models of sports equipment in different price categories.
Cardio exercises are the most effective method of combating excess weight. The most popular cardio machine in the gym and at home is the exercise bike. 20-30 minutes of daily exercise will help keep the body in good shape, tighten muscles, and get rid of cellulite. In addition, riding an exercise bike is a great way to get rid of extra pounds, since the calorie consumption on an exercise bike is quite high. From our article you will learn how many calories are burned on an exercise bike depending on the time and type of workout.
The bicycle is a universal exercise machine for men and women, allowing you not only to quickly lose weight, but also to increase endurance, prevent the development of cellulite and even some diseases. Before moving on to the issue of burning calories on an exercise bike, let’s look at the main advantages of this type of physical activity.
First, your metabolism speeds up during high-intensity training. Accordingly, the process of losing weight begins to happen faster. Secondly, the cardiovascular system is strengthened, blood pressure is normalized, and immunity is increased. Thirdly, the body becomes resilient, and the respiratory system is further strengthened.
An important advantage of an exercise bike for girls is the prevention of orange peel cellulite, as the skin becomes elastic and the thigh muscles are flexible.
To actively burn calories, riding an exercise bike should occur in the morning, before eating breakfast. Fat will begin to be burned immediately as glycogen will be depleted.
Additionally, we note that the exercise bike does not put a high load on the knees and ankles, which allows people with arthritis and beginners to exercise.
An exercise bike burns calories very actively, but subject to certain rules. It is important to know about them before we move on to the question of how many calories are burned when riding an exercise bike. Otherwise, engaging in this type of physical activity will be pointless.
Please note that these classes are not recommended for women during pregnancy. We advise everyone else to listen to their inner feelings. Increase the load gradually; in the first days of training, you should not exercise until your last breath.
- Training time is at least 40 minutes. Repeat the workout every 1-2 days;
- Stick to a certain heart rate. The heart rate you should stick to depends entirely on your goals. If you want to lose weight, it should be from 65 to 75%, if the goal is to increase endurance, at least 75%. First, let's calculate the maximum heart rate threshold using the formula: 220 is your age. For example, the maximum heart rate for a 27-year-old person is 130-140 beats per minute;
- Watch your breathing. Remember, increasing the breathing frequency is the key to effective exercise, since the need of muscles for oxygen causes the breakdown of fats and energy consumption;
- Stick to a specific program. For beginners, it is recommended to train 3 times a week with a heart rate of 60 to 70%. If you have an average level of physical fitness, train 4 times a week with a heart rate of 65-75%. For advanced athletes, it is recommended to train at a heart rate of at least 80%;
- Eat healthy without exceeding your daily calorie intake. Eliminate unhealthy foods from your daily diet, include fresh fruits, vegetables, proteins, non-carbonated purified drinking water (about 2 liters per day).
Now we come to the main question of the article: how many calories can you burn during a workout on an exercise bike? Of course, it all depends on the duration and intensity.
As a rule, calorie counting on an exercise bike in modern gyms is already set. It shows how many calories you burned on the exercise bike during your workout. If the exercise machine is not equipped with this function, it will not be difficult to calculate how many calories are burned on an exercise bike.
Depending on the intensity of the load, on average you can spend 200-250 calories in 30 minutes on an exercise bike, depending on the intensity of the workout. For example, at an average speed (from 15 to 19 km/h) an hour on an exercise bike consumes at least 240 calories. Active driving (up to 25 km/h) allows you to burn approximately 500 kcal.
For clarity, we present a table that shows how many calories are burned on an exercise bike per hour, depending on the riding speed and weight of the person:
See also:
An exercise bike is one of the best means for losing weight and creating a sculpted body. The effectiveness of an exercise bike for weight loss has been proven by numerous studies.
This device is used by professional athletes and those who want to train not for sports results, but to maintain their body in good shape. Aerobic exercise, burning calories and fat deposits, muscle training - all this makes the body more prominent and visually beautiful.
Benefits and harms
The main advantage of an exercise bike is that everyone can use it. Suitable for those who have just started training, experienced athletes, and people of any age. The main thing is to set the desired load.
The benefits of an exercise bike are as follows:
- exercises are a prevention of heart and vascular diseases (as a result of a gradual reduction in cholesterol and stabilization of blood pressure during training);
- it can be used by people who have problems with their knees and joints;
- Regular exercise increases the body's endurance.
Depending on the chosen load, you can burn about 500 calories for women and 600 for men in an hour of exercise. At a slow pace (about 15 km per hour) 200-300 kilocalories are burned. The result will directly depend on the initial weight, the chosen intensity of exercise and how long the workout lasts.
Important! Harm from an exercise bike occurs only if a person does not adhere to the rules of exercise: you need to sit up straight and you cannot hunch your back. Otherwise, the next day you will feel pain in the neck or lower back, and there may be injuries to the musculoskeletal system.
Contraindications for use are:
- serious diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
- high blood pressure;
- pregnancy.
With a properly structured training program, an exercise bike turns from a bicycle into an effective method for cardio exercise. It is a misconception that only the muscles of the legs and thighs are trained.
Actually involved:
- respiratory system (during exercise there is an increased supply of oxygen and because of this fat is burned);
- calf, quadriceps, biceps muscles of the legs;
- oblique abdominal muscles;
- gluteal and back muscles.
Lesson program
The training program depends on what the initial goal is: losing weight or increasing the volume of leg muscles. In the first case, attention should be paid to the duration of the workout, and in the second - to the intensity and speed.
Modern devices can calculate your speed and kilometers traveled. You can adjust the load yourself. It would be wrong to choose a high speed but a low load - in this case there will be no effect. Also, do not put excessive load, because in this case you will quickly get tired.
Before training, you need to enter your weight into the exercise bike to correctly calculate calories. This way you can monitor your progress. The optimal training program depends on the age, weight, and goals of the athlete.
Please note that:
- when the speed increases with the same load, more energy is consumed;
- The greatest effect is obtained by alternating exercises with standing and sitting;
- It is best to exercise two hours before meals in the morning.
The interval approach is the optimal training plan that is suitable for those who want to lose weight.
It looks like this:
- 20 seconds - the fastest pace for yourself (from 20 km per hour);
- 40 seconds - slow pace (from 15 km per hour).
Repeat several such circles (7-10) in a standing position. After this, do the same in a sitting position. The number of approaches depends on your physical condition, but to achieve the effect it should not be less than three.
The maximum heart rate is measured as follows: 220 minus your age. This number will be the maximum. If your heart rate is higher (this is especially true for people whose weight exceeds the norm by 20 kg or more), then you should choose other types of training. When losing weight, your heart rate should be between 60 and 70% of your maximum most of the time.
For a person aged 30, the maximum would be 190 strokes. Therefore, he needs his pulse to be in the region of 120-145 beats per minute.
Important! The main rule when losing weight is regular exercise.By devoting an hour to training three times a week and adhering to your usual lifestyle, you can lose 2 kg in a month. It is also necessary to adjust your diet. This will allow the body to lose weight and develop at the same time.
Over time, it may seem that exercise on an exercise bike is not producing results. This is called the "plateau effect." You just need to increase the load.
How to choose a trainer?
You should choose a training tool based on the characteristics of your body and your goals.
There are several types of exercise bikes:
- Vertical. Visually reminiscent of a track bike, they allow you to pump up all muscle groups and very quickly lose extra pounds. Small in size, so suitable even for a small room. Their price starts from 15,000 rubles.
- Horizontal. Suitable for those with back problems and people over 50 years old. The cost of such models starts from 25,000 rubles.
- Portable. You can take them with you if you go on business trips or on vacation by car, for example. The cost of the cheapest model is from 5,000 rubles.
- Hybrid. Training can be done sitting or lying down. The models are suitable for the whole family. The cost of a simple model starts from 80,000 rubles.
The most popular brands in the Russian Federation are: Kettler, Torneo, Body Sculptur, HouseFit, Oxygen Fitness, Atemi, Intensor, Aerofit. These companies provide the most comfortable and safe exercise bikes at a fraction of the cost.
You may be interested in the following article: "".When choosing, you should pay attention not only to the type of simulator, but also other characteristics.
The device must be equipped with:
- Pulse measurement system. Allows you to always be aware of whether you are currently burning calories.
- Resistance system. It can be mechanical, magnetic and electromagnetic. The second two are more expensive, but devices with them work better and last longer.
- Additional features. Calorie counter, speed control, footage.
A properly selected exercise bike makes you want to exercise. Therefore, the aesthetic component is also important. Companies provide a lot of options for both girls and boys, for adults and children.
Cardio exercises are extremely effective in combating excess weight and keeping the body in good shape. If you learn from our article, how many calories are burned on an exercise bike, then you will probably want to quickly go to the gym or buy one for yourself at home. The second option will certainly be of interest to very busy ladies and young mothers who have very little time and really want to have an ideal figure.
Let's talk about the appeal of the exercise bike. Why in a store, among the entire range of products that allow for effective training, should we choose this one?
- Availability. A relative of the exercise bike is a regular bicycle, which we learned to pedal when we were children. If you don’t have the opportunity to pamper yourself with a bike ride, which many ladies only have access to in the warm season, then you can buy yourself an exercise bike. Another advantage is the attractiveness of this device for those young ladies who have never learned to maintain balance on a two-wheeled bicycle. With an exercise bike, you can safely train and improve at any time of the day and regardless of the air temperature outside the window. No abrasions, contusions or bruises from sudden falls or collisions!
- Endurance. An exercise bike allows you to develop endurance and strengthen your body. During training, the respiratory system develops, the heart strengthens, and various muscle groups of the legs and back are also stressed.
- Ability to prevent the development of various diseases, avoid stressful situations, increase immunity, human tone, and also, importantly, normalize weight.
- Preventing cellulite. This advantage of an exercise bike will interest women and girls at any age, regardless of their body weight, because “orange peel” can occur in both a plump beauty and a slender madam. The thigh muscles that are actively working during training become more flexible, the skin becomes elastic, which means that after a couple of months of training you can forget about cellulite.
- Rehabilitation. If you had to undergo surgery, any physical injury or serious illness, then an exercise bike will be useful for rehabilitation purposes. Please note that this device does not require a huge load and does not have a heavy impact on the lumbar region and spine. In addition, you can level the load level and use the optimal mode, or even create an individual training program, depending on your own capabilities. If you have the opportunity to purchase expensive equipment, you can easily set it to a mode that replicates traditional cycling on a regular road, off-road, in the mountains, etc. To do this, you should pay attention to models equipped with a built-in computer. The monitor will display your heart rate, exercise level and number of calories burned.
In addition to discussing the general attractiveness of an exercise bike, we should also touch on its advantages, which are of interest to a huge number of women, namely, is it possible to lose weight with it? Let’s try to figure it out and highlight the advantages that confirm the attractiveness of the simulator for a female audience who wants to get rid of extra pounds.
- Intensity. The exercise bike provides a fairly intense workout, which is a prerequisite for any cardio exercise. Regular use of the exercise machine several times a week will stabilize blood pressure and, of course, reduce the risk of developing various cardiovascular diseases. Intense training will lower cholesterol levels, which will prevent atherosclerosis and other diseases.
- Active work of muscle groups of the lower body. You will successfully train the muscles of the thighs, lower legs and gluteal muscles. It would not be a shame to show off your toned and slender legs with elastic muscles in a short skirt or bikini. In addition to this, you will get strong buttocks that will drive men crazy. . A sitting position during exercise will reduce the level of stress on the ankles and knees, which will undoubtedly attract ladies suffering from arthritis, as well as those ladies who are just starting active physical training.
- Acceleration of metabolism. Any intense workout can speed up the metabolic process, especially if you do it in the morning before breakfast. The exercise bike is no exception.
According to average calculations, you can get rid of 500 calories per hour on an exercise bike. However, to lose weight, do not forget that you should consume fewer calories than you burn. Due to this, you can really lose weight.
In order for training on the simulator to be productive, you must first select it and find the desired position among the entire assortment. What should you pay attention to when purchasing?
- Resistance system. There are three types of resistance systems in exercise bikes: mechanical, magnetic and electromagnetic. Let's look at each of them separately.
- mechanical resistance system. Exercise bikes with such a system are affordable, simple to use and, as a rule, not always durable. The resistance system is a belt, with the help of which the resistance process is ensured and the simulator is operated. The load on it can be adjusted by the degree of tension. The exercise machine produces extraneous noise and has a minimal number of functions.
- magnetic resistance system. This is a more modern class of exercise bikes. Their price is aimed at an audience with an average income level. Resistance is provided by built-in magnets and a flywheel. When performing exercises, the load is adjusted depending on the distance between the flywheel and the magnets. This category of exercise bikes is more attractive for use at home, due to the lower noise level compared to the previous version, as well as better design and a more functional computer.
- electromagnetic resistance system. It is an expensive and most modern class of exercise bikes. They are distinguished by a fairly rich selection of functions and modes, and automatic resistance adjustment.
- Landing method. You can exercise on an exercise bike in a vertical or horizontal position. The safest and most relevant is the horizontal planting method. In this case, the person will take a semi-sitting position, which is the safest option. When choosing a horizontal model, the support is placed on the back of the machine, which reduces the load on the lower back and reduces pressure on the joints.
- The weight for which the exercise bike is designed. If your weight ranges from 50 to 80 kilograms, then it is worth purchasing a model designed for a maximum weight of up to 100 kilograms, excluding models designed for a weight of 130 kilograms or more. This will not only save money, but will also make your workouts more productive.
- Feature Set. Study the number and characteristics of available functions and determine which of them are useful and important to you.
- Trademark. Find out more about the manufacturer of the exercise machine, read reviews and be sure to sit on the device before purchasing to understand how convenient it is for you.
- Dimensions. Modern exercise bikes are great for placement even in a typical apartment, but still study how much space it needs to be placed in the place where you plan to put this equipment.
The cost of exercise bikes varies from 5,000 to 150,000 rubles, where, of course, the most expensive models are designed for professional use. The most affordable exercise bikes are those made in Taiwan and China. Their cost does not exceed 10,000 rubles and they use a magnetic braking system. Along with a minimum set of functions and a simple computer, such equipment is not designed for people whose weight exceeds 90 kilograms.
In the range from 10,000 to 20,000 rubles you will also find Chinese and Taiwanese exercise machines and some European models. They are of higher quality and less noisy, but in this range you will also find some Asian models that are worth paying attention to first. They are distinguished by a rich set of functions and modes. In the luxury range there are exercise machines costing 80,000-150,000 rubles. They are aimed at people weighing up to 150 kilograms.
How to properly exercise on an exercise bike to burn calories?
In order not to harm yourself during training, you should learn how to properly exercise on an exercise bike and follow the rules listed below.
- Contraindications. Carefully study existing contraindications or consult your doctor. In particular, pregnant women should not exercise on an exercise bike, but for ladies after a cesarean section, such training will be very useful. Of course, girls need to first consult with a specialist and choose the most gentle and optimal regimen for them.
- Internal sensations. If you realize that you suddenly feel worse, stop exercising immediately. Always listen to your inner feelings and do not neglect them. You should gradually increase the pace and time of training, and not exhaust yourself by pedaling on the first day.
- Keep an eye on your pulse. Expensive models will show you your heart rate, but for more affordable models you should purchase a heart rate monitor separately. Exercises should begin with a heart rate of 55-65, and to burn fat you need to maintain 65-75 contractions per minute. For endurance training, a frequency of 75-85 contractions is suitable.
- Duration of training. The duration of one lesson should be based on your physical capabilities. The optimal time is an interval of 40 minutes, and the lesson should be repeated after 1-2 days. In general, you should exercise three times a week. Thus, in one session you can get rid of 500 to 800 calories, and if you combine training with rational and proper nutrition, the result will not be long in coming, and you will be able not only to maintain good shape, but also to lose weight.
Exercise on an exercise bike will give you excellent physical shape, excellent calves and pumped up thighs. You will be surprised at how quickly you will begin to feel indescribable lightness and cheerfulness. Of the many tools that allow you to exercise at home, you should definitely pay attention to such a device as an exercise bike.