Solving a friendly disagreement

monarols
monarols Posts: 8
in Fitness and Exercise
I was having a friendly disagreement with a 'bikie" friend the other day, and we were talking about calorie expenditure during activity. I said I currently walk to work (4km) at around 6km/hr and he said I should cycle it, as it would burn up more calories. My walk takes around 39 mins, and if i cycled it would take around 15mins.

I maintained that because walking is a weight bearing exercise, and of a longer duration, the caloric expenditure would be greater. He disagrees.

I don't have a HR monitor, but judging by my breathing rate, I'd estimate my HR increases to around 50% greater than resting.

Soooo...which activity would expend the most calories for me (100kg/175cm)?

Replies

  • flechero
    flechero Posts: 260 Member
    I would 'guess' you burn 3 times as much walking it.... especially if you walk at a good pace. 6km on a bike is not a workout unless you are pulling something. I think 15 min would be at a leisurely pace also.
  • angelicasmommy
    angelicasmommy Posts: 303 Member
    I would 'guess' you burn 3 times as much walking it.... especially if you walk at a good pace. 6km on a bike is not a workout unless you are pulling something. I think 15 min would be at a leisurely pace also.

    My thoughts exactly. If I walk to work, it takes about 25 mins. If I bike, it takes about 7 mins and I get a good workout on the few hills on the way there but other than that it's all downhill or level so it's pretty easy.
    I would think it would only be better to bike if it was all up hill.
  • AussieTrainer
    AussieTrainer Posts: 171
    the one that you enjoy more and thus will do more of!

    If you walk fast you can take a slightly longer route, and that would burn more.... and if you bike you can take an even longer detour, and that would burn more as well.

    I think your friend may just be trying to push your buttons. :P
  • wellbert
    wellbert Posts: 3,924 Member
    All else being equal, walking burns more in 40 minutes than flat road cycling does in 15.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    walking
  • monarols
    monarols Posts: 8
    Thanks all...Thought so.
  • jofjltncb6
    jofjltncb6 Posts: 34,415 Member
    This one is simply: is a bike more or less efficient than walking? Obviously, more efficient, so walking burns more calories for an identical route.


    Edit: because proper punctuation matters.
  • n0ob
    n0ob Posts: 2,390 Member
    But, does biking put you ahead because you get there faster and are burning extra calories during the same time that you would have spent walking?
  • wellbert
    wellbert Posts: 3,924 Member
    of course you could do a long bicycle route for 30 minutes, and burn the most calories.
  • marinegirl92
    marinegirl92 Posts: 184 Member
    Sorry... can't help myself... or you could walk to work pushing your bike - way more calories :) sorry... great thread! :)

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