Can we do cycling after Dinner? How does that affect you?

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Written By Samarjit Sinha

Working out for 10 years | Has a home gym | CPD (UK) Certificate holder in Fitness

Is It Good To Do Cycling After Dinner? Or you are just making it worst!

As an avid cycle user, I’m Samarjit Sinha, and I’ve explored the impact of post-dinner cycling. It’s generally advised to wait 1-2 hours after your meal before hitting the pedals. The choice to cycle post-dinner depends on your individual circumstances, like appetite and sleep patterns. Heavy workouts right after a big meal?

Not recommended. Immediate post-meal cycling can lead to digestion problems. Waiting 2-6 hours after dinner is ideal to avoid bloating and cramps. Avoid foods high in fat, fiber, or large meals before a ride. On the other hand, cycling on an empty stomach in the morning can burn stored fat for energy. In conclusion, post-dinner cycling may not be ideal due to potential muscle loss, but cycling on an empty stomach could be a promising alternative.

Key Takeaways

Can we do cycling after Dinner
  • Heavy workouts after a large meal are not advisable.
  • It is not recommended to cycle immediately after eating, as it can cause digestion problems.
  • Waiting 2-6 hours after dinner before cycling is recommended to prevent bloating and cramps.

Can we do cycling after Dinner?

The truth is that cycling after dinner can have both positive and negative effects on the body if you start working out just after eating. It can cause indigestion, heartburn, and vomiting if done shortly after eating. 

It is generally recommended to start working out after 1-2 hours.

In that way, you will not feel heavy and your gut will stay happy.

Cycling can help burn calories and improve fitness. But cycling just 1 hour or so before you sleep, might cause you to fall asleep later.(1)

Therefore, whether or not you decide to cycle after dinner depends on your individual circumstances.

If you have a healthy appetite and get enough sleep, then you may be able to cycle without any problems.

However, if you have a small appetite or find it difficult to sleep enough, then you should avoid cycling after dinner.

Doing heavy workouts after a large meal is not advisable, though.

There are mixed opinions on whether or not it is a good idea to cycle after dinner.

I believe that it is not recommended because it can cause digestion problems.

I would rather to relaxing activities before sleep.

Can we do cycling after Dinner

Negative Effects Of Cycling After Dinner

Cycling right after dinner might lead to indigestion and gas.

Cycling after dinner, or before bed, might make you stay awake late at night.

I do not want either of those and I do not train at night!

How Long Should You Wait After Dinner To Cycle?

Many doctors/ experts recommend waiting at least two hours after eating before cycling.

This is because if you cycle soon after eating, you may feel bloated and uncomfortable, and you may also be more likely to experience cramps.

Generally speaking, if you had a light meal two to three hours before your ride, you’ll be fine. If you had a more substantial meal, it’s best to wait four to six hours before hitting the pedals.

And after dinner, waiting 4-6 hours of waiting means you will reach midnight, thus it is not advisable at all to cycle outside.

You could also experience an upset stomach or diarrhoea if you cycle too soon after eating.

What Should You Avoid Eating Before Riding?

Carbohydrates like bananas, porridge and granola are easy to digest and provide energy for your ride. And you usually eat them for breakfast and not at night. (2)

Processed proteins like supplements are digested quickly and provide an immediate boost of energy.

And any large meal is not advisable before riding your cycle outdoors or indoors.

You should avoid eating foods high in fat or fibre before riding because they can cause gastrointestinal problems.

You should also avoid drinking large amounts of water because it can cause you to feel bloated and uncomfortable while you’re riding.

Additionally, protein-rich foods like pork and chicken digest slowly, so it’s best to avoid them if you’re looking to ride quickly.

Is it OK to cycle on an empty stomach?

If you’re looking to offset potential weight gain, cycling on an empty stomach in the morning might be the way to go. (3). Working out on empty stomach might make your body to use the fat storage and help you burn a lot of them.

But if you are skinny like me and yet you want a ripped look you can try doing morning workouts on empty stomach.

Still, I would advise against it if you are skinny.

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What happens if we do cycling after eating?

If you are cycling after eating then you might get heartburn and gastrointestinal issues. And if your belly is completely full can you do high-intensity cycling?

When you work out after eating, your body is working to digest food as well as expel energy, which can lead to discomfort or even pain.

Spending Your Stored Energy Better

Cycling is a great way to burn stored energy, and it can be done on an empty stomach for even better results. As per Nottingham University, it can burn 70% more fat.

When we cycle without eating, our body uses our fat stores for energy production. This is because our muscles are able to use fatty acids as fuel when there isn’t food available.

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The Last Rep!

In conclusion, cycling on an empty stomach in the morning holds the promise of burning stored fat for energy, offering a potential advantage to those seeking efficient fat loss during their rides. This practice is recommended for better results and can be a valuable addition to your fitness routine.

On the flip side, cycling after dinner presents a mixed bag of potential effects. While it can be enticing, heavy workouts after a large meal are not advisable, as they may lead to digestion problems and even muscle loss. So, while cycling on an empty stomach in the morning offers a positive avenue for burning fat, cycling post-dinner may not be the ideal choice for everyone, and individual circumstances, including appetite and sleep patterns, should be carefully considered.


About The Skinny Author

Author HomeGymindia.in

Working Out for 10 years | Owns a home gym |Certificate course done on Improving Aerobic Fitness, Diet | CPD (UK) Accredited Certification on Fitness

Yo Friends, this is Samarjit! A skinny guy who is building his tiny home gym.

I have successfully gained 10 kgs in 10 months going to commercial gyms. And I have been working out on and off for about 10+ years now.

I have gone swimming, done martial arts, Olympic lifts and body-building-type workouts!

I canceled the gym subscription as I was more into making my home gym for workouts. And getting ready, then getting my cycle and ride to the commercial gym seemed a drag after 10 hours in the office.

Thus, I needed a home that I could access at any moment!
And I started building my home gym!

I had to research a lot to build my home gym and decided to share effective, budget-friendly home gym machines, and nutrition to buy as per your goals here in homegymindia.in

If you have question then contact me here

Ps: The author is highly experienced with making small workout routines, understanding and guiding people to get gym equipment, and setting up the home gym as per their Fitness goals.

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