Pedal up! Here’s how cycling can help you lose weight faster

Cycling can make you lose belly fat and side bulges easily and faster. Here’s how to get pedaling for accelerated weight loss.
weight loss sports
Cycling is a perfect cardio exercise for weight loss. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Shifa Khan Published: 23 Mar 2022, 10:00 am IST
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You don’t always have to go big if you want to shed some pounds. Instead, you can make fitness easy and fun. You can begin your fitness journey with simple cardio. And what’s better than cycling? Cycling is not only a way to be fit but is also a fun outdoor activity to check your neighborhood or even commute to work. This will not save money alone but also keep your fitness in check.

Understandably, weight loss will not happen over time. So, you need to be consistent and start somewhere.

To know how cycling can be your go-to cardio exercise for quick weight loss, HealthShots spoke to Dinesh Godara, fitness expert and founder, CultX.fit

How is cycling different?

“Cycling is the easiest and the most accessible form of workout. It makes for an excellent outdoor activity and makes fitness more fun. Though cardio will benefit you and make you healthier and fitter, it will not help you do it alone. It would be best to join your weight loss routine with healthy eating habits and power-packed meals. This combination will help you achieve your targets over time,” says Godara.

But, cardio can get monotonous over time, and people give up midway because they might not find any results quickly. So, that brings up the question how cycling can be the best cardio workout for weight loss.

indoor vs outdoor cycling
Give cycling a shot, ladies. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

What is the best way of cycling to maximize weight loss results?

There isn’t one right way of cycling. But, study suggests that there are multiple ways by which you can make cycling enjoyable and worthwhile . Some of them are:

1. Begin from a flat surface

If you are new to cycling, you can start from a flat surface and then go to the elevation and hilly region. This way, you will not be exhausted and even move towards getting comfortable with cycling.

2. Do a warm-up

Before beginning any exercise, it is advisable to do a 15-minutes warm-up. Same goes with a cycling session. Indulging in warm-up and stretching activity will reduce the risk of joint injuries and muscle stress.

stretching
Stretching before cycling is crucial. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

3. Start slow

You may stress on completing a specific distance for the longest time. But, it is advisable not to focus on numbers. Instead, listen to your body and the strength in your legs and set realistic targets.

4. Maintain moderate intensity

It is essential to understand that maintaining a regular pace is necessary for cycling. You need to start with medium intensity and then increase the speed gradually. This will help you sustain for more extended periods and increase your efficiency.

BMI

Keep an idea of your risk of weight-related issues.

Check BMI
cycling vs running for weight loss
In the freedom of post-lockdown, choose cycling for weight loss! Image courtesy: Shutterstock

 

There’s more to cycling than weight loss

By now, you know that cycling impacts your metabolism and your body, but you need to do more for weight loss. By combining cycling with strength training and other forms of exercise, you can do it better, faster, and more robustly. So, there is no denying that cycling will help you lose your belly fat. It is best to keep changing your routine and mixing it with other training forms to overcome boredom and dullness during the sessions. Cycling will also make you flexible, active, and healthier. And as a beginner, you can always start with 10 minutes of cycling. Also, do not forget to rest and recover.

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About the Author

An aesthete and a skincare junkie, Shifa spends most of her time cooking delish food while wearing a sheet mask. At HealthShots, she creates high-octane content that can leave you all a little intrigued! ...Read More

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