cs asked:
Just thinking about buying a bike (mountain bike) and going on some trails for exercise instead of running them.
Will the results be the same?
Assuming I’ll have to bike a little further and longer for equal results… but that’s fine.
Can cycling be just as good as running as part of your cardio exercise?
November 13th, 2008 · 3 Comments
Tags: Diet & Fitness
3 responses so far ↓
1 Brian T // Nov 15, 2008 at 1:55 am
Tough question…What really matters is whats easier for you to stick with? Biking can be more fun for most. Not to mention, it’s a lot easier on you joints. My answer is yes, it is just as effective. Good Luck!
2 dluv1126 // Nov 18, 2008 at 10:24 am
Yes.
Provided that you understand that you will have to ride a bike for longer and do more difficult obstacles to burn the same amount of calories.
Riding a bike in the long run, however, can save your joints in the end. When you run, you impact your feet directly into the ground. This puts excess strain on your knees, ankles, hips, spine, and heels. When you ride a bike, your bike takes some of the impact off of your joints allowing you to protect them. Ideally, the best way to burn calories and get a good workout is to combine the two into a cross-training routine or alternate the two on different days.
3 lou // Nov 21, 2008 at 12:36 am
If you are looking at serious training I would suggest using a heart-rate monitor because this will tell you if your cycling is pushing you as hard as your running. If you are looking at just overall increases in your fitness levels you want to be keeping you heart rate above 140 for at least 30 minutes. If you are managing to do this on a bike or running, your getting a pretty good workout.
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