Can i substitute biking for running?

Question

For cross country, my body can't handle the long runs by myself and i can bike easy alone, and for much much longer then running.

Would it be a good idea to bike instead of run a couple days a week.

Answer 1

Well yuo can substitute them but you would have to bike a lot more miles then run in order to get the same cardio workout.  I like biking better too so I just bike more miles then i would run so i still get really good cardio workout!

Hope This Helps

Answer 2

Now, I am a whole heck of a lot more cyclist than a runner and thats because most of us who have discovered cycling, never seem to go back to running. This seems to be your case. Thats because cycling offers the beauty of being able to never having to support your own weight. Unlike running because it requires more muscle movement to support the whole body to project you forward. Think about it, you sit on the bike and sometimes don't ever have to pedal because of downhill routes. I see it as "the easy way out of running." I run for my highschool track team and compete as a cyclist in local and far and wide events. Running I hate, but I do it for great cardio workout during the spring so that when Summer rolls around I am good to go for some serious cycling. If you want to get fit faster one must run because running is about 3X as hard as biking. Thats with a casual-low-grade bike and based on the average person, but in means of a reasonably expensive road bike you have to go nearly 6X the distance in order to get the same workout and with the same intensity. Riders depend on their own momentum to carry them and thats why a great road bike can really get you up there on the speeds. Bottom line is you can definitely subsitute it, but it will take a whole heck of a lot of miles to get the same benefit as a 3 miles hard race. Especially because 3 miles running is more of a soft sprint when your a distance runner and cycling is all out PACE YOUR SELF event of consistency. I hope this helps.

Answer 3

The two actually work slightly different muscle groups, so it's great to mix running and cycling to get better over-all conditioning. For example, I have never had sore calves from cycling, only running, and running doesn't seem to work my outer thighs as much.

As for cardio, cycling fast uphills gets your heart pumping big-time, so it's great aerobic and anaerobic workout, depending on how much effort you put into it.

Answer 4

ofcourse you can, they are both cardio workouts, although  biking does seem to make your legwork the star of the show. I prefer running because it works every muscle really really well. But yes biking would work, i would increase your length, when i run 3k, ill bike 4.5

Answer 5

Good exercize and easier on the joints........

Answer 6

run at least once a week, and your good

Answer 7

that's what i am thinking of doing myself. i am still going to run on some days though.