Does Mountain Biking or Road Biking Burn More Calories?

Mountain biking and road biking are both great ways to stay in shape and get some exercise. But which one burns more calories? It’s a common question among cyclists, and the answer depends on several factors.

Mountain Biking

Mountain biking usually burns more calories than road biking because of the increased resistance from the terrain. The inclines and declines, as well as obstacles like rocks, roots, and mud, require more physical effort to traverse.

This means that your body has to work harder to keep up with the terrain which leads to more calories burned. Additionally, mountain bikers often go farther distances than road bikers which also adds to their calorie burn.

Road Biking

Road biking can still be an effective way to burn calories, but it is typically not as intense as mountain biking due to less resistance from the terrain. Road bikes are typically lighter than mountain bikes so they require less energy to move them forward.

Additionally, most road bikers tend to follow a set route that is relatively flat with few inclines or declines which means they don’t have to put in as much effort as mountain bikers do. However, the speed at which you ride can significantly increase your calorie burn with road biking compared to mountain biking.

Conclusion

In conclusion, does mountain biking or road biking burn more calories? It depends on several factors including intensity level and distance traveled.

Mountain bikers tend to burn more calories due to the increased resistance from the terrain while road bikers may not have as much resistance but can still increase their calorie burn through speed and distance traveled. Ultimately it comes down to preference and what type of workout you’re looking for!

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Chris Powell