Riding my bike and running, which is better

Question

if i ride my bike do i get the same benefits i would get from running? is it better to ride my bike than run, or is it better to run?

Answer 1

running uses more muscles at once, so it burns more calories.  it also raises your heartrate quicker for the same reason, so you can get in a workout quicker.  that comes at a price though.  the high impact will destroy your body.  even rugged runners like alberto salazar seem to always end up out of running with knee, hip or ankle problems.

cycling is low impact, so it is something you can do as you get older and when you are out of shape and heavy.  it also has the advantage of the gearing.  this allows someone that is just getting started to use lower gears and build up thier fitness as they go.  someone that has weight issues often can't run because thier joints wont allow it.

Answer 2

Cycling is better, it concentrates more on the legs, but it does tone up the arms too because of the grip you have on the handle bars, i find it strengthens the abdominal muscles too!

I say it better than running because i heard that in the long-term, running (especially on hard floor like concerete) can damage the bones in your legs.

I dont know how true or severe this claim is but i reckon if you ask Google or some search engine

"does running damage the bones?" You might find some info on it?

I think bike riding gives better results though!  

Answer 3

I do both.  I would hope you do it because you like it and not out of some wierd fitness compulsion.

Answer 4

they use different muslces, if you want strong legs I'd suggest

biking, but if you want endurance, running is the way to go

Answer 5

running is the best sport but it gives you major damage in the knees eventually bike riding don't do that and it gives you good exercise.

Answer 6

Long term biking is most definetly better... no high impact on the knees and legs and such.  running might be a little bit better for you exercise wise but IMO i prefer biking and think it is better just because you can go faster (more interesting/fun), not as likely to get bored and when you get into trails and hill climbing you wont want to stop.

bottom line biking is funner and you will be able to do it for longer with out even noticing that you are working out!   whatever you do just enjoy it.     Have fun!

P.S. i have had many success storys from people that buy a bike from me and dont want to stop riding because they are having so much fun!  i have had an of people that used to be overweight come in and thank me but do this day i dont no why....they are the ones that did it i just sold them the bike. but o well have fun no matter what you do

Answer 7

If yoiu are a beginner, then biking is the way to go. Most serious runners have been running for a long time, and they are accustomed to the shock and stress on the joints.

However, the advantage to running, if you can find a grassy area like a park, or a soft dirt trail, both of which soften the impact, is that you can get the same cardio vascular excercise in 20 minutes that would take an hour on a bike. Obviously, a lot depends on how hard you push yourself. Another advantage to running is that you can basically do it anywhere and it is free (the only cost is shoes). Biking requires maintenance of a bike, not to mention the purchase, and you cannot ride your bike anywhere. Often times, you have to share the road with cars, which can get dangerous at times. With running, the worst that could happen is you trip and fall and scrape  a knee or elbow. In biking, if you take a spill, you could get seriously injured.

Answer 8

Both are great cardio exercises. Running is more high impact and can work your upper body and abdomen a little bit more than cycling. But they both provide most of the same benefits, and with biking there is less of a  risk of injury.

Answer 9

At this point I run and I bike.  I love both very much.  But Biking doesn't hurt as bad as running.  Even though running is harder, you can go longer and faster on a bike, which causes you to burn way more calories.  I was training for a half marathon, which is some good miles.  But when I switched to mostly biking I noticed I got way leaner than when I was running.  

Answer 10

There both good for you.  You'll probably get the same benefits from each one.  

Answer 11

Personally I would ride a bike running is really hard on your joints, your feet and legs absorb a lot of shock from your feet hitting the ground. Swimming is really good for you, try that also.

Answer 12

Take it from someone who has been through several knee operations that bike riding is the way to go. Years of running have destroyed my knees which is now affecting my hips.

  

Answer 13

I think you get a better cardiovascular workout running.  Bicycle riding is the better choice from an orthopedic point of view.  Many older runners experience damage over time to the knee compartments.  Either is far superior to nothing, as you know.  I would vote for cycling because you can go to an exercyle in the colder and wetter days of the year.  My sales point of the exercycle, such as the Schwinn Airdyne, is that you do not have to work your plans around the availabiltiy issues.  You have it in a room at home and control the light and heat to get a repeat experience.  

Answer 14

Your body doesn't know the difference. Your body only knows what level (heartrate) you perform at and how long you do it. If I run for an hour ar 160 BPM or ride for an hour at 160 BPM I eill burn the same amount of calories. I know from experience that I can burn 1000 calories per hour while climbing on my bike.

Running is harder on your joints, as many other posters have mentioned, but there are runners who run into their 80's. The real question is what do you enjoy more, and what will you do.  

Answer 15

bike riding, because running can be very hard on your knees.