How many calories does cycling burn?
Road, stationary, and mountain bike
Medical Disclaimer: This tool provides general educational estimates. Always consult your prescribing physician or healthcare provider before making medication changes or interpreting results from population-based models.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 165 lb person burns roughly 200-350 cal in 30 min, depending on intensity. Moderate road cycling: ~275 cal.
Road cycling at moderate effort (6.8 MET) and stationary moderate (6.8 MET) are equivalent. Wind resistance on road can increase or decrease actual burn.
Excellent. Cycling is low-impact, sustainable, and burns 400-700+ calories per hour at moderate intensity.
Sources
- Ainsworth BE, et al. 2011 Compendium of Physical Activities. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2011;43(8):1575-1581. Link
Methodology
Calories = MET x weight (kg) x time (hours). MET values from Ainsworth 2011 Compendium for various cycling intensities and types.
Cycling calorie burn varies by intensity: leisure 4.0 MET, moderate road 8.0 MET, racing 12-16 MET. A 165 lb person burns roughly 275 cal in 30 min of moderate cycling. Stationary and road bikes at similar effort burn similar calories.
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