Running Vs. Riding a bike
Everyotherday
Posts: 237 Member
I have been running almost everyday for the past year 1-2 miles (pretty much) everyday. And honestly it starts to wear on you. I recently bought a new mountain bike and have been enjoying it quite a bit the past couple days. Would you consider riding daily to be on-par with running? It definitely seems to be easier on my body, but still a good work-out.
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Just a quick question, just wondering. And by running I mean jogging - lol.0
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Biking is still a good workout
I was an all-or-nothing runner (Jogger-lol) for years. But, my joints started to pay. Now, I mix it up by walking, jogging, cycling, and doing various dvds. 0 -
Former (and future) triathlete here. Here's your answer: The person who tested with the highest VO2 max on this planet was a cyclist, not a runner. Cycling is a brilliant complement to running and vice versa. Do you wear a HR monitor? If you did, you would know that you will burn as many calories cycling as you will running.
Does that help?0 -
I prefer running but do ride a stationary bike on occasion. If your running you need to give your body a rest day each week. It helps on recovery. I would say do either which one you feel like that day. As long as your getting exercise that is all that matters. I think the combination of the two is a winner. Just keep riding or running and stay moving.0
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I do both, but lean more towards cycling. I think it is much better to mix things up and get a variety of training than to stick to one form of exercise, personally. I love cycling and find it especially challenging with hills and on windy days. It is almost a form of interval training, in the sense that the resistance changes if you are in a hilly area and with the slowing down at traffic lights etc. I also box, do circuits and weights as well.0
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^^^^ Agree with Joe.
Further, because of no impact, you'll find you can usually go harder on the bike, for longer, and day after day easier.
So actually, it ends up being better workout.
Now - terrible for bone density, so keep some running, especially if you enjoy it.
Running hills seems to help biking more than biking helps running though, except for the relief cross-training.0 -
I'm not an exercise physiologist and nor are many people on this site but I couldn't imagine running. Running looks like pure torture - no, thanks. It's hard enough logging food and activity, so at the very least, I want an exercise that I love. From personal experience, I have gotten some amazing results since I took up riding. I don't know whether this is a direct result of riding but I can say that my exercise duration went from maybe an hour to sometimes 3+ hours out of a day. You tend to cover some distance when you bike and sometimes you just get into a zone and cease to feel tired for a spell.
Biking for me isn't exercise. Exercise is painful, biking is just pure enjoyment.0 -
I'm not a triathlete, but I do bike, swim, and run. I find biking to be a good complement to everything else. It is easier on the joints.0
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I burn more calories per minute running but you will burn more calories and be more likely to continue exercising if you find something you enjoy.
If running for 30 minutes sucks, but you love biking and can do it longer and more frequently then cycling is the way to go.
Of course you can always mix it up!
Don't let other people tell you what exercise to do. Pick what you want.0 -
Thanks for the answers guys! Just answered my questions spot-on. I do enjoy biking, lot more fun so far. I don't own a HR monitor, may look into that.0
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I will bike..but I wont run.
My husband used to do triathalons...his opinion...running was the least fun part...he will go for a bike ride with me now...or a swim...but if I were to suggest a run (not that I would) he would say NO.0 -
Former (and future) triathlete here. Here's your answer: The person who tested with the highest VO2 max on this planet was a cyclist, not a runner. Cycling is a brilliant complement to running and vice versa. Do you wear a HR monitor? If you did, you would know that you will burn as many calories cycling as you will running.
Does that help?
Depends on how long and how fast you cycle for, as a rule a 30 min run will burn way more calories than a 30 min cycle ride0 -
Come on over to the Dark Side.:laugh:
Running hurts. Well, it hurts me. So I bike. A lot. A little more than some, alot more than others. If you have a smartphone, get on Strava. Its fun. Get a speedometer on your bike. Wear a HRM w/a chest strap so you can see your calorie burn. 0 -
Former (and future) triathlete here. Here's your answer: The person who tested with the highest VO2 max on this planet was a cyclist, not a runner. Cycling is a brilliant complement to running and vice versa. Do you wear a HR monitor? If you did, you would know that you will burn as many calories cycling as you will running.
Does that help?
Depends on how long and how fast you cycle for, as a rule a 30 min run will burn way more calories than a 30 min cycle ride
That's interesting both comments. Thanks for posting both.
I can't run hard enough to burn as many calories as do biking, but then my biking is balls-to-the-wall.0 -
Former (and future) triathlete here. Here's your answer: The person who tested with the highest VO2 max on this planet was a cyclist, not a runner. Cycling is a brilliant complement to running and vice versa. Do you wear a HR monitor? If you did, you would know that you will burn as many calories cycling as you will running.
Does that help?
Depends on how long and how fast you cycle for, as a rule a 30 min run will burn way more calories than a 30 min cycle ride
Totally depends on the intensity as you mentioned.
Absolutely no way to make that claim without knowing what the workload of each exercise is as to what burns more.
Fact is biking 14-16 mph, right around the speed that air resistance starts being a factor, level, is equal to running about 10:00/mile level.
I've had folks I've joined on trail rides maintain that speed, easier than they would ever run that fast.0 -
I started cycling this spring because running got to be too hard on my feet (switched to 100% minimalist running this year), now I cycle every other day still to give my legs a rest.
Is it as good a workout? Depends on how much you push. you have more latitude I find, you can rest (not pedal) for stretches of time, where running you'd have to stop.
After a bike ride, I typically feel like going running. After a run, I feel like a shower.
Still, I am going to keep going with both :-)0 -
I started cycling this spring because running got to be too hard on my feet (switched to 100% minimalist running this year), now I cycle every other day still to give my legs a rest.
Is it as good a workout? Depends on how much you push. you have more latitude I find, you can rest (not pedal) for stretches of time, where running you'd have to stop.
After a bike ride, I typically feel like going running. After a run, I feel like a shower.
Still, I am going to keep going with both :-)
That's an excellent point too, and why they found that road riders had such great cardio systems.
Because each ride is almost automatically intervals. Easy down a hill, allows you to push harder going up.
But running, downhill is actually a tad harder than up and more stressful, no rest you might say to go harder, unless you just remember to slow down and make it intervals.0 -
Former (and future) triathlete here. Here's your answer: The person who tested with the highest VO2 max on this planet was a cyclist, not a runner. Cycling is a brilliant complement to running and vice versa. Do you wear a HR monitor? If you did, you would know that you will burn as many calories cycling as you will running.
Does that help?
Depends on how long and how fast you cycle for, as a rule a 30 min run will burn way more calories than a 30 min cycle ride
Not Necessarily. It depends on a number of factors, terrain, intensity, the runner's ability. For example, If I run in my LSD HR zone for 30 minutes on flat ground, I won't burn near as many calories as cycling hills in the zone? Why? Because the intensity of climbing is greater.0 -
Former (and future) triathlete here. Here's your answer: The person who tested with the highest VO2 max on this planet was a cyclist, not a runner. Cycling is a brilliant complement to running and vice versa. Do you wear a HR monitor? If you did, you would know that you will burn as many calories cycling as you will running.
Does that help?
Depends on how long and how fast you cycle for, as a rule a 30 min run will burn way more calories than a 30 min cycle ride
Totally depends on the intensity as you mentioned.
Absolutely no way to make that claim without knowing what the workload of each exercise is as to what burns more.
Fact is biking 14-16 mph, right around the speed that air resistance starts being a factor, level, is equal to running about 10:00/mile level.
I've had folks I've joined on trail rides maintain that speed, easier than they would ever run that fast.
True but to judge intensity on an even playing field if someone started from scratch running and riding they would have to ride a lot longer to burn the same calories as running if they put the same effort into both exercises, a 10 minute mile is slow and is in the beginner catergory, i wouldn't say 14-16mph on a bike is slow, also on a bike you have periods where you are not even using your legs
As a general rule you need to ride twice as long to burn the same calories as running, so the choice mainly comes down to if you prefer to run which is harder or cycle which is easier for longer0 -
As a general rule you need to ride twice as long to burn the same calories as running, so the choice mainly comes down to if you prefer to run which is harder or cycle which is easier for longer
A general rule? There isn't one. By your thinking, someone has to bike 52 miles to equal the output of someone doing a marathon? That's ridiculous.0 -
Former (and future) triathlete here. Here's your answer: The person who tested with the highest VO2 max on this planet was a cyclist, not a runner. Cycling is a brilliant complement to running and vice versa. Do you wear a HR monitor? If you did, you would know that you will burn as many calories cycling as you will running.
Does that help?
Depends on how long and how fast you cycle for, as a rule a 30 min run will burn way more calories than a 30 min cycle ride
Totally depends on the intensity as you mentioned.
Absolutely no way to make that claim without knowing what the workload of each exercise is as to what burns more.
Fact is biking 14-16 mph, right around the speed that air resistance starts being a factor, level, is equal to running about 10:00/mile level.
I've had folks I've joined on trail rides maintain that speed, easier than they would ever run that fast.
True but to judge intensity on an even playing field if someone started from scratch running and riding they would have to ride a lot longer to burn the same calories as running if they put the same effort into both exercises, a 10 minute mile is slow and is in the beginner catergory, i wouldn't say 14-16mph on a bike is slow, also on a bike you have periods where you are not even using your legs
As a general rule you need to ride twice as long to burn the same calories as running, so the choice mainly comes down to if you prefer to run which is harder or cycle which is easier for longer
Well, that's why I said riding level that speed - you would be using your legs the whole time.
Those 2 speeds I chose are from studies turning the calorie burns obtained back in to METS, and those are equal for those speeds.
Again, folks I've ridden with even on trails with corners and inclines and people and dogs are surprised they avg 15 mph, faster on downs and harder on hills though slower. I'm the one with the bike computer to inform them, they are just going their normal fun speed. I never lead those groups because I'd never be invited back again.
I think you'd find a lot of beginner runners loving to get as fast as 10 min miles. 12-15 min miles is beginner.0 -
Former (and future) triathlete here. Here's your answer: The person who tested with the highest VO2 max on this planet was a cyclist, not a runner. Cycling is a brilliant complement to running and vice versa. Do you wear a HR monitor? If you did, you would know that you will burn as many calories cycling as you will running.
Does that help?
Depends on how long and how fast you cycle for, as a rule a 30 min run will burn way more calories than a 30 min cycle ride
Totally depends on the intensity as you mentioned.
Absolutely no way to make that claim without knowing what the workload of each exercise is as to what burns more.
Fact is biking 14-16 mph, right around the speed that air resistance starts being a factor, level, is equal to running about 10:00/mile level.
I've had folks I've joined on trail rides maintain that speed, easier than they would ever run that fast.
True but to judge intensity on an even playing field if someone started from scratch running and riding they would have to ride a lot longer to burn the same calories as running if they put the same effort into both exercises, a 10 minute mile is slow and is in the beginner catergory, i wouldn't say 14-16mph on a bike is slow, also on a bike you have periods where you are not even using your legs
As a general rule you need to ride twice as long to burn the same calories as running, so the choice mainly comes down to if you prefer to run which is harder or cycle which is easier for longer
I think you're confusing competitive runners and cyclists with the vast majority of people doing this for exercise. As a general rule there are conversion tables available to compare running and cycling. As far as speed and category not sure what you are talking about. For some people a 10 minute mile is fast; a man ran a 33:50 5k this past winter, so he was north of 11 minutes per mile, but at 83, he kicked butt.0 -
Former (and future) triathlete here. Here's your answer: The person who tested with the highest VO2 max on this planet was a cyclist, not a runner. Cycling is a brilliant complement to running and vice versa. Do you wear a HR monitor? If you did, you would know that you will burn as many calories cycling as you will running.
Does that help?
Depends on how long and how fast you cycle for, as a rule a 30 min run will burn way more calories than a 30 min cycle ride
Totally depends on the intensity as you mentioned.
Absolutely no way to make that claim without knowing what the workload of each exercise is as to what burns more.
Fact is biking 14-16 mph, right around the speed that air resistance starts being a factor, level, is equal to running about 10:00/mile level.
I've had folks I've joined on trail rides maintain that speed, easier than they would ever run that fast.
True but to judge intensity on an even playing field if someone started from scratch running and riding they would have to ride a lot longer to burn the same calories as running if they put the same effort into both exercises, a 10 minute mile is slow and is in the beginner catergory, i wouldn't say 14-16mph on a bike is slow, also on a bike you have periods where you are not even using your legs
As a general rule you need to ride twice as long to burn the same calories as running, so the choice mainly comes down to if you prefer to run which is harder or cycle which is easier for longer
I think you're confusing competitive runners and cyclists with the vast majority of people doing this for exercise. As a general rule there are conversion tables available to compare running and cycling. As far as speed and category not sure what you are talking about. For some people a 10 minute mile is fast; a man ran a 33:50 5k this past winter, so he was north of 11 minutes per mile, but at 83, he kicked butt.
i am 45 and not a competitive runner, a 10 minute mile is not quick, it is a slow jog end of, it might be good for a 83 year old but that is just being silly, for the average person who doesn't specialize in any particular field, running burns more calories than riding a bike for a similar time, to burn the same calories you have to ride a bike for longer
put the 83 yr old on a bike for 33:50 and he would burn less calories than his run . it isn't a hard concept really0 -
i am 45 and not a competitive runner, a 10 minute mile is not quick, it is a slow jog end of, it might be good for a 83 year old but that is just being silly, for the average person who doesn't specialize in any particular field, running burns more calories than riding a bike for a similar time, to burn the same calories you have to ride a bike for longer
put the 83 yr old on a bike for 33:50 and he would burn less calories than his run . it isn't a hard concept really
You haven't read around on MFP for long to see some average jog times then.
I can easily burn more on the bike, and go longer too, and do it the next day at the same level. That isn't happening running at pace that would equal that burn per hour.
As to comment running burns many more calories per same time ....
I get much farther on a tank of gas in my car than my neighbor does in his car.
With no reference to what the cars are, what the gas mileage is, what the driving type and style is - pretty useless comment and not at all true in most cases.
You might want to read some studies on what the average lab tested calorie burn is for various speeds for both things and discover which 2 are lined up. Even though I gave it away already. Think what you will, the lab says otherwise.
You don't have to go longer, merely the correct speed, to match calorie burn.
https://sites.google.com/site/compendiumofphysicalactivities/compendia
Link to 2011 complete compendia, find the exercise, see the studies, go look up the studies in case you think the info was pulled incorrectly from them.0 -
Former (and future) triathlete here. Here's your answer: The person who tested with the highest VO2 max on this planet was a cyclist, not a runner. Cycling is a brilliant complement to running and vice versa. Do you wear a HR monitor? If you did, you would know that you will burn as many calories cycling as you will running.
Does that help?
Depends on how long and how fast you cycle for, as a rule a 30 min run will burn way more calories than a 30 min cycle ride
Haha not for me...I will always burn more calories, get more cardio and work harder on a bike...and yes I used to run.0 -
Former (and future) triathlete here. Here's your answer: The person who tested with the highest VO2 max on this planet was a cyclist, not a runner. Cycling is a brilliant complement to running and vice versa. Do you wear a HR monitor? If you did, you would know that you will burn as many calories cycling as you will running.
Does that help?
Depends on how long and how fast you cycle for, as a rule a 30 min run will burn way more calories than a 30 min cycle ride
That's interesting both comments. Thanks for posting both.
I can't run hard enough to burn as many calories as do biking, but then my biking is balls-to-the-wall.
See, I burn about the same. 30:00 will burn about 500 KCal on the bike or running. It's just that in that 30:00, the bike will travel 10 miles, while my feet alone would only go 4-5 miles.
I, like every other person, burn 0.63 KCal per lb per mile. Cycling has so many other factors (gearing, wind resistance, tire rolling resistance), it's not that easy. I burn between 0.34 and .0418 KCal/mile/lb on my road bike, on the hoods
OP: the only thing you miss out on by biking instead of running is increased bone density. All the impact of running is very good for your bones. Obviously, your not getting that impact biking, and any impact you do get biking isn't great for your bones, as my collar bone can attest to!0 -
Are you hitting single track trails with your bike? I'd actually consider that to be superior to jogging because of the inherent HIIT nature of mountain bike riding (assuming you're in a hilly area).
Other than that, I'm sure others have given you much better advice re: jogging vs. basic spinning.0 -
Fact is biking 14-16 mph, right around the speed that air resistance starts being a factor, level, is equal to running about 10:00/mile level.
That's pretty much what I've observed based on my HRM....
To the OP, if you enjoy both do them both, they compliment each other and, as you've observed, helps keep boredom at bay. I love running and I love my bike - I don't consider them to be mutually exclusive options.0 -
I have been running almost everyday for the past year 1-2 miles (pretty much) everyday. And honestly it starts to wear on you. I recently bought a new mountain bike and have been enjoying it quite a bit the past couple days. Would you consider riding daily to be on-par with running? It definitely seems to be easier on my body, but still a good work-out.
On par how do you mean? Energy expenditure wise?
Generally running has a higher MET value than cycling but that clearly will depend on how much harder you are able to comfortably cycle in comparison to running or how much longer.0 -
I have been running almost everyday for the past year 1-2 miles (pretty much) everyday. And honestly it starts to wear on you.
It's no surprise that's a bit wearing if there isn't any variety in your running.
I ride as well as run, but most of my running is in the 10K upwards space so a solid mix of intervals, tempos and recovery runs.
Couldn't face day after day only doing a very short run, I know I'm generally not into the rhythm until after the first couple of miles.
As above, riding is a good session, as long as you're putting the effort in. Very complementary to running, but equally mix up what you're doing. I'll do tempo or long slow rides, or just take my mountain bike out for a good thrash through the forest.0
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