What is better — running or cycling?

Unfortunately, there is no clear winner in the debate between running and cycling. It comes down to which of the two you prefer. Both can have many benefits for our mental and physical health. They are excellent sources of cardio exercise and can help us achieve any health goals, such as losing weight or getting fitter.

Not everyone can fit in both of these activities into their daily workouts. It’s possible that you only have 20 minutes of cardio a week or just a few minutes on the treadmill at the gym. It’s difficult to find the right exercise for you, as many people only have time to exercise once a week.

Here are the opinions of experts if you are considering running vs cycling, whether you should invest in running shoes or a bike, or simply want to find out which option is best for you.

CYCLING VS RUNNING

FOR BURNING CALORIES

Running for weight loss is more efficient than cycling. According to the American Council on Exercise, someone weighing 140 lbs will burn 6.4 calories per hour cycling and 13.2 calories per hour running.

If you’re looking to lose weight, however, the best exercise is the one that you love and are motivated to do. It’s the exercise that will make you calorie-dense. For some, running may burn more calories per hour than cycling, but for others, it will be the opposite.

Sage Figueroa is a pre- and post-natal fitness specialist who agrees that both are effective in helping you achieve and keep a healthy weight. It has not been shown that one is more effective than another, and it is common to believe that exercising should be viewed as a punishment in order to see results. When we change our mindset and view exercise as a gift and a privilege, the real results are achieved.

Figueroa is also a lead trainer for Echelon in the UK. She suggests that you find a steady, low-impact pace of exercise, between 20 and 30 minutes per day, that you love, rather than trying to do something you don’t enjoy. This can help you achieve the results you want, especially if it’s your first time in fitness.

CARDIOVASCULAR FITNESS

Are you looking for ways to be fit by running or cycling? Rosie Weston, a triathlon coach, says that it all comes down to your lifestyle. Running is more intense than cycling. It all depends on your preference.

Running may be a better choice for cardio exercise if you are short on time. According to Weston, a professional triathlete who is INCUS-supported, cycling can provide a similar benefit to running and cycling.

She adds that both offer similar cardio-aerobic benefits. It can also depend on the equipment available, as well as other factors such weather conditions and time. These activities can be done indoors with smart turbo trainers, Wattbikes, or treadmills. This can allow individuals to track their progress. This is a great way to get started.

FOR MOVING YOUR MUSCLES

Running is the most muscle-intensive exercise. It uses a lot of lower body muscles, including glutes and quadriceps. The power of cycling is mainly generated by the quadriceps and hamstrings.

Running or cycling are great for moving your muscles and feeling the full benefits of exercise. Research from many institutions, including one by the University of New York, has shown that exercise is good for your mental and emotional health.

To get the best out of your exercise, you need to feel comfortable. If you have any joint pain, or are looking to exercise for longer periods of time, then cycling is a good choice. Jogging may be better for you if you don’t have any joint pain or have the best running gear to get you through your workout safely.

However, this doesn’t mean that you should run or cycle every day. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about the effects exercise can have on your body.

Weston states that running and cycling are both great for fitness. Both can provide a strong cardiovascular foundation for fitness and increase muscular strength depending on how intense the exercise is done.

BUILDING STRENGTH

«In general, cycling is more effective for building muscles in lower bodies with less impact on the joints,» Weston says. If you are looking for cardio alternatives to strength training, this should be your signal to get the bike out of the garage.

Running could be a better choice if you want to increase muscle definition and not make your muscles bigger. She says that running is a cardiovascular-based exercise, but with a higher intensity because it targets more muscle groups.

IS CYCLING BETTER?

Running is more painful than cycling because it has a lower impact on the ground. This makes it easier for people who have joint pain and are just starting to exercise. It does require that you have access to a bicycle (which can be costly if you need to purchase one) and other safety equipment. Although running is more physically demanding than walking, it can burn more calories and require less equipment to get started.

Figueroa concludes, «When it comes to deciding between running and cycling, I would say it’s much more for much.» You don’t have to think too much about your workout. You are exercising to improve your lifestyle, not to take it away. Give yourself a five-, ten-, or twenty-minute boost.