Last Updated: December 8, 2025
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Quick Answer: No — cycling does not raise testosterone. Light riding has little effect, and long-distance endurance riding can actually lower T by increasing fatigue, stress hormones, and calorie deficits. Saddle pressure doesn’t reduce testosterone, but it can cause numbness and ED symptoms that make riders think it does. Here’s what a 70-year-old long-distance cyclist has learned the hard way.
Does Cycling Raise Testosterone?
Short answer? No. Cycling doesn’t raise testosterone. If anything, the more miles you stack up every week, the more likely your testosterone is to dip.
Long-distance cyclists — especially men over 50 — tend to see lower testosterone for two reasons:
- High training volume spikes cortisol, and cortisol suppresses testosterone.
- Many cyclists under-eat, and calorie deficits lower hormone levels extremely fast.
But let’s clear up the biggest myth first.
Does Saddle Pressure Lower Testosterone?
Nope.
That fear comes from numbness, blood-flow restrictions, and temporary ED symptoms from a poorly fitted saddle. Those issues are real — and uncomfortable — but they’re not testosterone problems.
A bad saddle or wrong position compresses nerves, not hormones.
If you want to keep riding pain-free, I highly recommend switching to bib shorts (game changer) and finding a saddle that supports your sit bones without punching your perineum.
You can see my full guide here:
Why These Are the Only Bib Shorts I Wear →
What About Low Testosterone in Endurance Cyclists?
This is where the real issue shows up. Endurance athletes — cyclists, marathoners, triathletes — often have chronically low testosterone. Not because cycling is harmful, but because:
- Long rides increase stress hormones.
- Weekly mileage often exceeds recovery ability, especially for older riders.
- Most riders burn 1,000–2,000 calories a day and don’t replace them.
You can ride 150 miles a week — I do — but you can’t ignore recovery and expect hormone levels to stay normal.
Want to Protect Testosterone? Add Strength Training.
Cycling alone won’t raise T. But even two 20-minute strength sessions per week can:
- Boost testosterone naturally
- Increase muscle mass and bone density
- Improve injury resistance
- Make climbing hills easier
It also helps with confidence, posture, and power transfer on the bike.
Gear That Helps With Comfort, Circulation, and Performance
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Disclaimer: I’m a lifelong cyclist, not a doctor. This post explains what many riders experience and what current research suggests, but it isn’t medical advice. If you’re dealing with persistent hormone issues, ED, or pain that doesn’t improve, talk with a qualified healthcare professional.
FAQs
Does cycling lower testosterone?
Long, high-volume cycling can. Moderate riding usually does not.
Does cycling cause ED?
Not hormonally. ED symptoms from cycling come from saddle pressure and blood-flow restriction, not testosterone changes.
Can a 70-year-old cyclist increase testosterone naturally?
Yes — through strength training, adequate calories, sleep, and reducing chronic stress.
Will a better saddle help testosterone levels?
No. But it will reduce numbness and circulation problems that create similar symptoms.