Riding any type of bike is a great way to get a solid cardio workout. Some rides might not be that strenuous, but results are pretty noticeable for those who go on multiple rides a week. Along with a proper diet, it’s easy for a person to shed pounds by getting a pretty low impact workout.
Do fat bike tires burn more calories while riding? It’s tough to calculate exact numbers at times, but there are reasons to believe that a person gets a better workout with a fat bike compared to any other option. Why is that the case? Let’s take a look at a few reasons why.
6 Reasons Riding a Fat Bike Will Burn More Calories!
There are more ways that one that riding your fatty will help you burn more calories than riding a road bike or even a mountain bike. HealthyWay claims that you can burn up to 1000 more calories by just riding a fatbike!
More drag on the tires
There is a bit of built-in resistance with every fat bike, and while some road cyclists might look at that as a negative, it should be viewed as a positive for people wanting a great cardio workout. It allows for some great power training and muscle building, all while burning a few more calories as well.
This is the biggest factor that goes into why a person will likely burn a few more calories riding a fat bike for an hour compared to riding a road bike or hybrid bike for an hour. The amount of distance covered is only part of the picture, as it’s much easier to build up and maintain speed on smooth, flat surfaces.
For an added workout, fat tires in tough conditions like snow, mud, sand and more are a challenge. It’s impossible to get a high rotation per minute (RPM) with a fat bike, which means more manpower to power through. Remember, it’s not as much about speed as it is about relying on leg strength to burn calories.
If the drag is too much for a person’s liking, they can always drop down to a slightly skinnier fat tire. There are different widths available, and most fat bike frames will take multiple sizes.
Bike weight
This seems simple enough, but a heavy bike is going to provide a slightly more difficult challenge for any rider. This is because it takes a little longer to get the bike moving, and there’s just a little bit more wind resistance as well.
Fat tire bikes don’t carve through a headwind like a road bike would, which means more effort from the rider. It doesn’t make a huge difference, but it’s noticeable when tracking exercise at any time.
Riding at all times of the year
It’s next to impossible to ride a road bike consistently in the middle of the winter months. Not only does the cold weather hold a lot of people back, but just a little bit of snow or ice can make for a very dangerous ride.
A fat bike allows for riding in any condition. It encourages people to get outdoors even in times of the year where everyone else is staying bundled up indoors. There are different challenges with different times of the year, which switches things up as well.
All of this leads to a solid workout option that is available 12 months out of the year. Just make sure to bundle up a bit more during the winter before heading out.
Finesse Riding Makes for a Good Core Workout
Having maneuverability on a fat bike is a challenge for people who are trying to ride one for the first time. It takes a lot of effort to move a bike in just the right way, and tough conditions will make it even more of a challenge.
The key to having success on a fat bike is to control weight distribution at all times. If the weight is not distributed correctly, there is a chance of crashing or falling off. Riders must learn how to lean into turns and contort their bodies the right way.
Not only does this encourage true riding, but it helps burn calories as well. Instead of just getting a huge workout in the legs, the core is challenged as well.
Additional Challenges
For some people, they can ride the same trails every single day and not get bored. Others want a fresh challenge at all times, and a fat bike provides exactly that. With fresh challenges always on the horizon, a person is much more likely to burn calories and not take as many days off. There’s always something new to see and new to face head-on.
Maybe a fat bike can’t keep up with a road bike on a paved path, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be used from time to time to ride that way. Some people like the added challenge, allowing the ride to feel much easier when switching to a road bike.
Thicker Tires Come in Handy on Hills
Riding hills can be a great way to burn a lot of calories without having to ride for a long distance. An incline is going to force a person to use their muscles a bit more, and it adds a huge challenge people aren’t always used to.
Fat tires are perfect for tackling any type of incline. They shine off-road, gripping the ground and adding a good amount of stability for the rider to enjoy. No one wants to feel like they are constantly running the risk of falling off, so thicker tires might be the way to go.
Should Those People Looking to Burn Calories Consistently Go With a Fat Bike?
A fat bike is a great option for anyone who will be doing different types of riding here and there. For those people who are strictly staying on the road, a road bike might be the better option. It might be easier to ride and burn fewer calories, but it will get a person from point A to point B faster.
A fat bike is a perfect ticket to try different trails and routes around. With so many various adventures, it’s tough to get bored. A big part of burning calories consistently with any type of exercise is having the motivation to keep up. With a versatile bike, exercise becomes just a little bit easier.
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