Yes, cycling can help you lose belly fat, but you’ll have to be patient to achieve your desired weight loss results. Cycling is an effective weight loss exercise because it helps to reduce your overall body weight. This post will help you find all the answers you need concerning your question – does cycling help lose belly fat?
We can all agree that there is nothing pleasant about carrying excess weight on your waistline. Besides posing detrimental effects on your overall health, the excess belly fat can potentially lead to other serious health issues. With this in mind, you probably are wondering, does cycling help lose belly fat?
Does Cycling Help Lose Belly Fat? – How Cycling Helps
You might be reading this article because you’ve tried other exercises that can help you reduce tummy fat. The truth is that there are many ways to get a flat tummy. However, some exercises are more effective than others. Some workouts will burn fat effectively compared to others. For instance, weight training exercises combined with cardio workouts will get you ripped in no time.
One of the biggest mistakes folks often make while trying to lose belly fat is to engage in spot training. It may seem logical that the easiest way to burn belly fat is to focus on your stomach muscles. However, it’s important to realize that the body functions in a complex way. Focusing on your stomach muscles doesn’t mean you’ll burn the most calories. Instead, incorporating exercises that will increase your metabolism will.
How to Lose Belly Fat by Cycling
Like any other exercise, how you cycle will determine whether you’ll burn more belly fat and lose weight in the long run. Here are two tips that will aid you to get the most from your cycling routines.
Maintain a Steady Pace
Long-distance marathoners are known for their long steady paces. Well, with cycling, you can use the same strategy to burn belly fat effectively. While your stomach muscles may not be actively involved in burning fat, your glutes and quads will do most of the job to get you to your destination. The aerobic nature of cycling will ensure your body is burning fat for each strenuous activity.
Use Interval Training
Interval training often works best when you want to push yourself to burn more calories. Like high-intensity interval training (HIIT), interval training in cycling can increase your metabolism. In turn, this means the body will work harder to burn excess fat in your body.
After cycling for hours, finish with high-intensity cycles where you maximize your efforts for a short period. The effect is that you’ll use more energy within a short period, meaning the body burns more calories.
How Long Should You Ride a Bike To Lose Belly Fat?
The length of time to cycle may vary since some will prefer intense exercises. However, aim to cycle for 30-60 minutes regularly. Remember to use the idea of interval training to get the most out of your cycling and push your body to burn more fat.
Does Cycling Help Lose Belly Fat? Other Health Benefits
Apart from helping you to lose belly fat, cycling is generally a great exercise that will help you get a slimmer body in no time. Most people overlook the impact of cycling because they always consider exercise as beneficial only when one strains. But the truth is that you can enjoy working out and still lose weight. So, cycling will help you lose weight, ultimately leading to other health benefits, including:
- Reduce stress
- Lower risk of terminal diseases
- Better sleep
- Helps to build muscles
- Helps in weight management
- Reduces the risk of heart-related diseases
Does Cycling Help Lose Belly Fat? – Summary
You now know that cycling can help you lose belly fat. Of course, cycling will not target your stomach muscles. But it doesn’t mean it won’t help you get a flat tummy. Contrary to what you might believe, cycling helps to tone your whole body, meaning you’ll also lose belly fat in the long run. You must be patient to notice the positive effects of cycling. Ensure you cycle for about 30-60 minutes for the best results. More importantly, be patient with yourself during the transformation.