biking verses walking

khoolette

I find bike riding much easier (less demanding, physically) than walking. I notice when I log my exercise, however, that I can burn 188 calories on a 25 minute bike ride, but to burn the same amount of calories on a walk, I have to go 44 minutes. Why does this not make sense to me? It seems to me that I should burn more calories on a walk, since that gets my heart rate going, makes me sweat more, etc.

LessMe2B

Pay attention to how fast you're biking, that'll make the difference in the calorie burn.

rcpayton

I recently bought a heart rate monitor and found the same thing to be true. I burn many more calories biking than walking even though walking feels like more physical exertion. My heart rate stays in the target fat burning zone during biking while I have to be walking pretty fast with arms pumping to get it to that level. It's always good to change up your routine so keep on biking and walking and anything else you like. Any exercise is good exercise!

fuminator18

good question. i am wondering, the bike riding uses more rapid lower body move!?

tommys

Hello friend! Do you have a HRM? If you don't you might try getting one and using it while working out regardless of what activity it will measure your actual heart beat and give you a more accurate calorie burn count! I use the Polar FT40 and love it! If you do decide to get one don't just go with cheap purchase a quality one you won't regret it!

cbear_74

I find that when I bike v. walking, that I burn more fat calories by using low intensity. Maybe change the gear to a harder gear on your bike and that will burn more calories for you? I hope so. You are doing a great job, all of you! Good luck!

SueInAz

The calories burned in MFP are generalities based on the average person with an average amount of effort. To accurately calculate what you're burning when you walk or bike, get a heart rate monitor. It's the only way to be sure.

xraychick77

where do you get these numbers? if its from MFP then its probably over estimated.

and it all depends on how fast you run or bike and if you go up or down hills. what i'd do is take your pulse. the harder you work the more you increase your heart rate. the more oxygen you use the more cals you burn etc etc...blah.

so just see which in a given set of time..say give it 10 mins to get your heart pumping and measure your heart rate on both types of exercises..which ever produces the higher heart rate is the one what theoretically should burn more calories.

fitness_superstar

biking is a full body workout whereas walking isnt. i used to mountain bike all the time...now it's hard to find time to mountain bike...but in an hour of mountain biking i can burn up to 600 calories. and that's not a mfp statistic. biking is way better for you than walking

pauljsolie

Outdoor bicycling burns more than stationary bikes or walking because you use many more muscles to maintaing your balance on a bicycle. That's what a personal trainer told me once. I'd much rather bike than walk, at least for the nice months around here.

Panda_Jack

Outdoor bicycling burns more than stationary bikes or walking because you use many more muscles to maintaing your balance on a bicycle. That's what a personal trainer told me once. I'd much rather bike than walk, at least for the nice months around here.

You're close. Don't forget wind and friction. Pushing an actual bike across the ground is much more demanding than rotating a belt around a hub. Plus you get the really great headwinds... On the plus side, gnats are a great source of protein and free. So just open wide and let em in as you ride.

unmitigatedbadassery

I got a bike for my birthday in November - I was going to start riding to work, about 2 miles - but I quickly realized that I had not fully recovered my coordination after having a stroke in 2009. Since walking on a regular basis a lot of my motor functions and my limp (that I was told would probably be permanent) have gone. I am looking forward to trying the bike again as I used to really enjoy riding. I know making the ride a daily part of my routine will kick start some weight loss too!

I remember being slightly confused when I heard that biking burns more than walking but it was simply explained by my Army recruiter (ugh, TEN years ago) that when biking you are constantly making minor adjustments to keep yourself upright so your muscles are always working. I don't know how accurate it is but it certainly made sense.

Panda_Jack

I got a bike for my birthday in November - I was going to start riding to work, about 2 miles - but I quickly realized that I had not fully recovered my coordination after having a stroke in 2009. Since walking on a regular basis a lot of my motor functions and my limp (that I was told would probably be permanent) have gone. I am looking forward to trying the bike again as I used to really enjoy riding. I know making the ride a daily part of my routine will kick start some weight loss too!

I remember being slightly confused when I heard that biking burns more than walking but it was simply explained by my Army recruiter (ugh, TEN years ago) that when biking you are constantly making minor adjustments to keep yourself upright so your muscles are always working. I don't know how accurate it is but it certainly made sense.

Also remember that because of the nature of cycling, you can essentially keep a higher average HR over a set amount of time, than you can running or walking. When I ride my average HR for a 3 hour ride is usually around 153 BPM. That's going about 19 mph average. There is no way I could run for 3 hours at 153 BPM.