Running or Biking ???

mstaser

I usually jog but every once in a while I get on the bike and take off. I like biking better but not sure what is actually better or if one is actually better than the other. When I bike, I usually keep the pace up (avg 13mph). So I am not just out for a Sunday cruise. I understand mile for mile, running works more. But minute for minute they are fairly close as my pace for each.

Is one any better than the other?

GinnieC100

We do both. I get a better sustained heart rate on the bike. We can bike for hours. With us it is a weather thing. If it is cold or too windy we run, warm we bike. Enjoy both.

zoom2

Cycling can work a person just as hard as running...effort is effort.

Neither is "better" than the other. I personally like a mix of the two. In the Winter I find running a lot easier...I can only tolerate so many miles on the "nowhere bike" indoors. The amount of laundry required to ride outdoors is daunting, too (at least here in Michigan). In the Summer I tend to bike more than I run, since hot weather rides feel sort of good, where running for the same amount of time would give me heat stroke.

I also find I lose weight better when I am doing both activities. If I stick to one or the other my body adapts too much and it takes an increasing # of miles to lose. YMMV.

The beauty of doing both activities is that you can participate in duathlons and cyclocross races. Those are a blast!

NiciS72

Personally I do both. I can't run every day or my knees start hurting. I also feel different muscles when I do both. I burn about the same calories on both, but can go for longer biking. I say do what makes you happy, mix it up if you get bored.

secretlobster

I found an interesting blog post on the topic:

http://davesbikeblog.blogspot.com/2007/09/running-vs-cycling-burning-calories.html


I prefer biking More fun.

mstaser

Time will be a factor. Usually I run later at night when its dark. The streets are not lit up so biking is hard but I can run them no problem. I will probably mix it up but bike more if I have time.

thebigcb

I personally think running is the best exercise, however understand peoples reasons for biking

If you have an hour you can do a great work out running. Not sure if you could achieve the same biking.

BrianSharpe

I do both also, if you're looking strictly at calories burned per hour running will have the edge but the reality is you can great a great workout doing either - IMO, do whichever you feel like that day unless you're training for a specific event.