Biking vs running??

Question

I work out everyday and I usually just run 2 miles at fast pace for me before lifting but the other day I decided to bike and I was able to bike 10 miles for about the same time and pace and on the calories burned marker on the machines showed that I burned more on the bike. So should I continue my 10 miles on the bike or my 2 miles running?

Thanks a lot for any help :)

Answer 1

I'd mix it up since you seem to enjoy both.  Personally, I hate running and since its hard on your knees, I prefer to cycle.

Answer 2

Personally, biking would probably be my choice because you can cover more area on a bike than you could by running. The average speed on a bike is 17mph which is about twice the pace of your running. You'll cover so much more on the bike than you would running and will not run out of energy so quickly. Running also puts more stress on your knees which can lead to you not even running or biking! If you wanted to you could set it up like a triathlon run 2 miles then bike 10.

Answer 3

You burned more calories and you put no stress whatsoever on your joints as you would have done had you been jogging. Not only that I bet cycling was more fun. I've tried everything from swimming to doing circuits with weight training but cycling is the best in my experience for enhancing your stamina and general fitness.

Answer 4

If you're on machines then you're not really biking or running.  The calories burned are different and so is the effort.  If you run a 7:30 mile for 2 miles that's 15 minutes.  Biking 10 miles in 15 minutes would be a 40 mph pace, not likely unless it's down a big hill all the way.  You should do your lifting before cardio anyway.

Answer 5

I lift weights, run and bike too.   I usually consider one mile of running equal to 5 miles of road riding.  So, really, its a matter of how much time you have and which you enjoy more.  

    Personally, for me, running is better as exercise because to 'run' you actually have to move at a speed fast enough to work the heart and lungs pretty good.  Biking, on the other had, you can move and a pretty good pace and just 'spin'.  Your exercising but not working the heart and lungs as hard as running would.  

However, this is terrain dependent.   If your riding in hills you work or you don't get up the hill.

     In other words, you can (relatively) relax while riding and still keep a 10-14mph pace.  Where as, if you relax when jogging you find yourself no longer jogging but walking.....

Last piece of advice on riding:  always wear a helmet and carry a spare tube and tire irons.  Also, try to find a route with the least amount of traffic, both for clean air and safety.  Most of my route (12 miles) is on bike trails.

Answer 6

I have always heard that biking hard for 3 miles is equal to running for 1 mile, biking has much less impact on your joints so I have always done it more than running. It really just depends on which one you enjoy more. If your bike rides are getting too easy try to pick a route that has more hills.