Calories Burned Cycling in Chicago, IL
Calculate how many calories you burn doing cycling in Chicago, Illinois. Adjusted for Chicago's continental climate (avg 55°F). MET: 8. Climate adjustment: 0%.
Cycling Calorie Calculator for Chicago
Cycling in Chicago for 30 minutes
290 kcal
MET 8 · 73 kg · 581 kcal/hour
Climate Impact on Calorie Burn in Chicago
Moderate temperatures are ideal for exercise. Your body does not need extra energy for thermoregulation, so calorie burn matches the standard MET calculation.
Chicago, Illinois has a continental climate with an average annual temperature of 55°F and 7 months suitable for outdoor exercise. When doing cycling here, your body burns calories at approximately the standard rate, as the temperature closely matches the conditions used in MET research (68-72°F).
Calorie Burn by Duration (Chicago)
How many calories you burn during cycling at different durations in Chicago's continental climate.
| Duration | Base Calories | Chicago Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 minutes | 145 kcal | 145 kcal | 0 |
| 30 minutes | 290 kcal | 290 kcal | 0 |
| 45 minutes | 435 kcal | 435 kcal | 0 |
| 60 minutes | 581 kcal | 581 kcal | 0 |
| 90 minutes | 871 kcal | 871 kcal | 0 |
| 120 minutes | 1161 kcal | 1161 kcal | 0 |
Monthly & Yearly Calorie Burn Estimates
How many calories you could burn doing cycling for 30 minutes per session in Chicago, based on your current weight.
3 sessions / week
3,767
calories per month
45,240 cal/year
= ~12.9 lbs of fat
5 sessions / week
6,279
calories per month
75,400 cal/year
= ~21.5 lbs of fat
*Based on the widely used estimate that 1 lb of body fat = ~3,500 calories. Actual weight loss depends on diet, metabolism, and other factors. Climate adjustment of 0% applied for Chicago.
Chicago Fitness Overview
Chicago, Illinois (pop. 2,696,555) has a fitness score of 70/100 with 7.8 gyms per 100K residents and a walk score of 78. Residents average 7,250 daily steps and burn approximately 2,170 calories per day. Popular activities include running, cycling, weight training.
Fitness Score
70/100
Walk Score
78
Obesity Rate
32.8%
Outdoor Months
7
Other Activities in Chicago, IL
Brisk Walking
MET 5 · Moderate
~181 cal / 30 min
Lacrosse
MET 8 · High
~290 cal / 30 min
Boxing
MET 9 · High
~327 cal / 30 min
Sailing
MET 3 · Low to Moderate
~109 cal / 30 min
Rope Climbing
MET 8 · Very High
~290 cal / 30 min
Jogging
MET 7 · Moderate
~254 cal / 30 min
Roller Skating
MET 7 · Moderate
~254 cal / 30 min
Hiking
MET 6 · Moderate
~218 cal / 30 min
Cycling in Other Illinois Cities
Aurora, IL
53°F · Continental
~299 cal / 30 min
Joliet, IL
51°F · Continental
~299 cal / 30 min
Naperville, IL
54°F · Continental
~299 cal / 30 min
Rockford, IL
53°F · Continental
~299 cal / 30 min
Elgin, IL
52°F · Continental
~299 cal / 30 min
Springfield, IL
51°F · Continental
~299 cal / 30 min
Peoria, IL
51°F · Continental
~299 cal / 30 min
How We Calculate Calories Burned for Cycling in Chicago
Our calculator uses the standard MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) formula with a local climate adjustment for Chicago:
Calories = MET × Weight (kg) × Duration (hrs) × Climate Factor
= 8 × Weight (kg) × Duration (hrs) × 1.00
The MET value of 8 for cycling is sourced from the Compendium of Physical Activities. The climate factor of 1.00 accounts for Chicago's average temperature of 55°F. Research shows that exercising in non-neutral temperatures increases energy expenditure as the body works to maintain its core temperature.
Cycling at a moderate pace of 12-14 mph provides an excellent low-impact cardiovascular workout. It is easier on the joints than running while still delivering significant calorie burn and leg strength development. Cycling can be done outdoors on roads or trails, or indoors on a stationary bike. Regular cycling improves heart health, builds leg muscle endurance, and can be integrated into daily commuting for effortless exercise.
Explore More Calorie Calculators
Calculate calories for any activity or check your total daily energy expenditure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories does cycling burn in Chicago, IL?
A 160 lb person burns approximately 290 calories during 30 minutes of cycling in Chicago. This accounts for Chicago's continental climate with an average temperature of 55°F, which adjusts calorie burn by 0% compared to standard conditions. The base MET value for cycling is 8.
Does Chicago's climate affect calories burned during cycling?
Yes. Chicago has a continental climate averaging 55°F. Moderate temperatures are ideal for exercise. Your body does not need extra energy for thermoregulation, so calorie burn matches the standard MET calculation. This means cycling in Chicago burns approximately 0% calories compared to the standard MET calculation at 68-72°F.
What is the best time to do cycling in Chicago?
Chicago's moderate climate (avg 55°F) with 7 outdoor-friendly months makes cycling comfortable most of the year. Morning exercise may boost metabolism for the rest of the day, while evening sessions can help with stress relief and sleep quality.
How many calories per month can I burn doing cycling in Chicago?
At your current weight, doing cycling for 30 minutes in Chicago: 3 sessions/week burns ~3,767 cal/month (45,240 cal/year), while 5 sessions/week burns ~6,279 cal/month (75,400 cal/year). These estimates include the 0% climate adjustment for Chicago's 55°F average temperature.
Is cycling popular in Chicago, IL?
Yes, cycling is among the most popular fitness activities in Chicago. The city's continental climate with 7 months of outdoor exercise weather and a walk score of 78 make it well-suited for this activity. Chicago has 7.8 gyms per 100K residents and a fitness score of 70/100.