Rowing vs Cycling: Which Burns More Calories and Boosts Metabolism?

Are you looking for the best way to burn calories and boost your metabolism? Rowing and cycling are two of the most popular forms of cardio exercises that can help you achieve your fitness goals. Both of these exercises offer a low-impact workout that can help you burn calories and improve your cardiovascular health. But which one is better? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the benefits of rowing and cycling, and compare them to see which one is more effective for burning calories and boosting your metabolism. So, whether you’re a fitness enthusiast looking for a new challenge or just starting out on your fitness journey, read on to discover the pros and cons of rowing and cycling and find out which one is the right choice for you.

Rowing vs Cycling – An Overview

Rowing and cycling are two popular forms of cardio exercises that can help you achieve your fitness goals. Rowing involves sitting on a rowing machine and pulling on a handle to move a set of paddles in the water. Cycling involves pedaling on a stationary bike. Both exercises offer a low-impact workout that can help you burn calories and improve your cardiovascular health.

One of the major differences between rowing and cycling is the muscles they work. Rowing primarily works the upper body, including the arms, shoulders, chest, and back, while cycling primarily works the lower body, including the legs, glutes, and core. However, both exercises can provide a full-body workout that can help you burn calories and improve your overall fitness.

Calories Burned While Rowing

Rowing is a great exercise for burning calories and losing weight. According to the American Council on Exercise, a 125-pound person can burn up to 255 calories in 30 minutes of moderate-intensity rowing, while a 155-pound person can burn up to 316 calories, and a 185-pound person can burn up to 377 calories. High-intensity rowing can burn even more calories, with a 125-pound person burning up to 480 calories in 30 minutes, a 155-pound person burning up to 596 calories, and a 185-pound person burning up to 713 calories.

The number of calories you burn while rowing depends on several factors, including your weight, intensity level, and the length of your workout. Rowing at a higher intensity level or for a longer period of time can help you burn more calories and lose more weight.

Calories Burned While Cycling

Cycling is also a great exercise for burning calories and losing weight. According to the American Council on Exercise, a 125-pound person can burn up to 210 calories in 30 minutes of moderate-intensity cycling, while a 155-pound person can burn up to 260 calories, and a 185-pound person can burn up to 311 calories. High-intensity cycling can burn even more calories, with a 125-pound person burning up to 315 calories in 30 minutes, a 155-pound person burning up to 391 calories, and a 185-pound person burning up to 466 calories.

The number of calories you burn while cycling depends on several factors, including your weight, intensity level, and the length of your workout. Cycling at a higher intensity level or for a longer period of time can help you burn more calories and lose more weight.

Metabolism Boosting Benefits of Rowing

In addition to burning calories, rowing can also boost your metabolism. According to a study published in the Journal of Exercise Science and Fitness, rowing can increase your resting metabolic rate by up to 8 percent, which means you’ll burn more calories even when you’re not exercising. Rowing can also improve your heart health, endurance, and overall fitness.

One of the reasons rowing is so effective at boosting your metabolism is because it works so many muscles at once. Rowing engages your arms, shoulders, chest, back, and core, which means you’re burning more calories and building more muscle than you would with a lower-intensity exercise.

Metabolism Boosting Benefits of Cycling

Cycling also has numerous metabolism-boosting benefits. According to a study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, cycling can increase your metabolism for up to 14 hours after your workout, which means you’ll continue to burn calories long after you’ve finished exercising. Cycling can also improve your cardiovascular health, lower your blood pressure, and reduce your risk of heart disease.

One of the reasons cycling is so effective at boosting your metabolism is because it engages your large muscle groups, including your legs, glutes, and core. Cycling at a high intensity can also help you build more muscle, which can help you burn more calories and boost your metabolism.

Comparison of Rowing and Cycling for Weight Loss

Both rowing and cycling are great exercises for burning calories and losing weight. However, the number of calories you burn and the amount of weight you lose will depend on several factors, including your weight, intensity level, and the length of your workout.

If you’re looking for an exercise that primarily works your upper body, then rowing may be the better choice for you. Rowing can help you burn more calories in a shorter amount of time, and it can also boost your metabolism by working multiple muscle groups at once.

If you’re looking for an exercise that primarily works your lower body, then cycling may be the better choice for you. Cycling can help you burn more calories over a longer period of time, and it can also boost your metabolism by engaging your large muscle groups.

Factors That Affect Calories Burned and Metabolism Boosting

There are several factors that can affect the number of calories you burn and the amount of weight you lose while rowing or cycling. These factors include:

Your weight: The more you weigh, the more calories you’ll burn while exercising.
Intensity level: Exercising at a higher intensity level can help you burn more calories and lose more weight.
Length of workout: Exercising for a longer period of time can help you burn more calories and lose more weight.
Fitness level: The more fit you are, the more calories you’ll burn while exercising.
Age: As you age, your metabolism slows down, which means you may burn fewer calories while exercising.

Which One Should You Choose? – The Verdict

Both rowing and cycling are great exercises for burning calories and boosting your metabolism. The best exercise for you will depend on your personal fitness goals and preferences. If you’re looking for an exercise that primarily works your upper body and can help you burn more calories in a shorter amount of time, then rowing may be the better choice for you. If you’re looking for an exercise that primarily works your lower body and can help you burn more calories over a longer period of time, then cycling may be the better choice for you.

How to Incorporate Rowing or Cycling in Your Fitness Routine?

If you’re new to rowing or cycling, it’s important to start slowly and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts. You can start by rowing or cycling for 10-15 minutes at a moderate intensity level, and then gradually increase the duration and intensity of your workouts as you become more comfortable.

It’s also important to incorporate strength training exercises into your fitness routine. Strength training can help you build muscle and boost your metabolism, which can help you burn more calories and lose more weight.

Conclusion

Rowing and cycling are both great exercises for burning calories and improving your cardiovascular health. Both exercises offer a low-impact workout that can help you lose weight and boost your metabolism. The best exercise for you will depend on your personal fitness goals and preferences. Whether you choose rowing or cycling, it’s important to start slowly and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts. And don’t forget to incorporate strength training exercises into your fitness routine for maximum results.

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