Running or cycling what's more heathy?
- Thread starter Zebo
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IHateMyJob2004
Lifer
- Sep 29, 2004
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IMHO: Running and biking are equivilent from a cardio standpoint. Biking is lower impact though.
Swimming is the best. Good cardio, VERY LOW impact. Swimming is hard though. Whipes you out very quickly.
running is a better overall workout, and is only hard on your knees if you're overweight or have bad biomechanics. As a runner of 5-6 years, all my joints are in great shape, and none of my coaches, who have been running all their lives, have ever had any type of chronic joint ailment.
Swimming is even better though. It works your entire body, and is zero-impact. IMO, it's also a lot harder. Not sure how many calories it burns compared to running or biking though.
Swimming is even better though. It works your entire body, and is zero-impact. IMO, it's also a lot harder. Not sure how many calories it burns compared to running or biking though.
IHateMyJob2004
Lifer
- Sep 29, 2004
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Fact of the matter is that running is higher impact, correct?
Mountain biking is far more involved and full body than running any day. Better "overall workout" that is. Mountian biking (if you are acutally doing single/double track) requiores alot of upper body exercise(and strength) not to mention the obvious lower body exercise.
- Jul 29, 2001
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Does breaking 17 bones in a motorcycle accident count? But I've been running 2-3 miles for 12 years and still mass about 240 even so. I'm 6'4" and thick. I've never believed in those other forms of cardio... until now..with my heal problems. I eat about 4 aspin every moring to get though it.
It just seems you can do so much more running in a much shorter time period compared to others, no?
I'd like to see some studies on this.
yep, running is higher impact, and by that definition more of a stress on the body. Which is why I say running is safe only if you have good form and are made to be a runner.
Never though about mountain biking; I imagine that would be quite the workout too. Biking uphill is very tough (and builds those quads too!)
Zebo: I'd say small doses of running wouldn't be too bad, but biking or swimming would probably be better for you.
Koing
Elite Member <br> Super Moderator<br> Health and F
- Oct 11, 2000
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Mum couldn't swim a year ago or something like that.
Now she cains out 20laps of 25m
Pretty f0cking amazing imo! NO WAY would I be able to swim laps. I'm not a bad swimmer just not the stamina and not the most efficient technique for it
Running is harder on the knees if your 'a lot over weight'. Get some decent shoes and go running on grass in a park.
The best one is THE ONE YOU CAN STICK TOO!
Really overweight people = cycling is better to start with. Later they can work on to running and do other things.
Doesn't matter too much what you do as long as you do one or the other. Or just 'cycle' them about. Do 2-3months of cycling then do a month or running?
Koing
Now she cains out 20laps of 25m
Pretty f0cking amazing imo! NO WAY would I be able to swim laps. I'm not a bad swimmer just not the stamina and not the most efficient technique for it
Running is harder on the knees if your 'a lot over weight'. Get some decent shoes and go running on grass in a park.
The best one is THE ONE YOU CAN STICK TOO!
Really overweight people = cycling is better to start with. Later they can work on to running and do other things.
Doesn't matter too much what you do as long as you do one or the other. Or just 'cycle' them about. Do 2-3months of cycling then do a month or running?
Koing
Try popping your mountain bike into a higher gear and going uphill. You will feel the burn VERY quickly and I can guarantee unless you're an experienced mountain biker you will not last very long on that incline.
Agreed. But not only going up hill. All the time. Use a higer gear, you'll go faster, it'll be harder. Going uphill I'd sugest using a gear where you won't burn yourself out half way up the hill, but that keeps you breathing hard.
Koing
Elite Member <br> Super Moderator<br> Health and F
- Oct 11, 2000
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How 'hard' are you biking when you can do it all day? What sort of speed?
Well either way like Fasuto he is great on a bike "for some reason"
j/k but he probably can't run all day like he could bike all day.I would suggest you do some running then because you find it harder.
OR you could do some interval stuff on your bike? Find a good hill somewhere or even a moderate hill. Now cycle in spurts.
20seconds 'medium' pace
5seconds 'crazy sprint'
30seconds 'medium'
60seconds 'slow'
10 'crazy' sprint
40seconds 'medium'
Just cycle it about.
You can do the same for your running also. Doing it around a Football pitch is great. Log the long length and sprint the 1st corner to corner. Then jog around the long length again and up the pace a bit for the other corner to corner. Or simply do side steps around that one. Or hop or do jumps.
VERY VERY VERY TOUGH to do. You will know what I mean after your 2nd lap
Koing
Zebo: I ran the 1600 and 3200 primarily, and now I run 1500, 5000 and 10,000 in college. I prefer cross country though; tracks are boring and there's no mud
Distance running and sprinting are really two different animals. I could never be a sprinter because I quite simply don't have the speed, which is what sprinting is all about. Distance running is much more mental, and even a mediocre runner such as myself can enjoy moderate success simply by being determined and running smart. I don't look down on sprinters like a lot of distance guys do, because I realize that while it's nowhere near as brutal, it takes a lot of hard work, conditioning and natural talent to sprint well.
I could also never be a swimmer. I have a lot of respect for swimmers, because, IMO, it is the hardest activity, and I quite simply can't do it. I can swim maybe two laps and then I'm spent.
Distance running and sprinting are really two different animals. I could never be a sprinter because I quite simply don't have the speed, which is what sprinting is all about. Distance running is much more mental, and even a mediocre runner such as myself can enjoy moderate success simply by being determined and running smart. I don't look down on sprinters like a lot of distance guys do, because I realize that while it's nowhere near as brutal, it takes a lot of hard work, conditioning and natural talent to sprint well.
I could also never be a swimmer. I have a lot of respect for swimmers, because, IMO, it is the hardest activity, and I quite simply can't do it. I can swim maybe two laps and then I'm spent.
- Jul 29, 2001
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Need to find some hills and a new bike. I have a old trek 8500 but technology wise...well it's 10 years old. Cycling scares me tough wih cars and stuff.. Sigh ..running is so easy..just pop out the door go the the HS and do 8-10 laps... On vacation you just bring your shoes how convienant is that? My doctor says he wants to re-break my fibula and I'll be out 6 months
Cycling scares me tough wih cars and stuff.. Sigh ..running is so easy..just pop out the door go the the HS and do 8-10 laps... On vacation you just bring your shoes how convienant is that? My doctor says he wants to re-break my fibula and I'll be out 6 months
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Originally posted by: SWScorch
Zebo: I ran the 1600 and 3200 primarily, and now I run 1500, 5000 and 10,000 in college. I prefer cross country though; tracks are boring and there's no mud
Distance running and sprinting are really two different animals. I could never be a sprinter because I quite simply don't have the speed, which is what sprinting is all about. Distance running is much more mental, and even a mediocre runner such as myself can enjoy moderate success simply by being determined and running smart. I don't look down on sprinters like a lot of distance guys do, because I realize that while it's nowhere near as brutal, it takes a lot of hard work, conditioning and natural talent to sprint well.
I could also never be a swimmer. I have a lot of respect for swimmers, because, IMO, it is the hardest activity, and I quite simply can't do it. I can swim maybe two laps and then I'm spent.
Shoot you're just a puppy. just wait. And ya, it's extremly difficult to move large amounts of mass. My buddy I run with sometimes is about 155 and is still nose breathing and chatty after I'm done .
The only reason I ran track was football coach was track coach and basically forced me. I ran a 10.5 best 100 and a 4.6ish 40..Those were the days
All natual hardy any effort... not anymore..all that natual muscle is a hinderance for distanc...bones...kneeesOriginally posted by: SWScorch
Zebo: I ran the 1600 and 3200 primarily, and now I run 1500, 5000 and 10,000 in college. I prefer cross country though; tracks are boring and there's no mud
Distance running and sprinting are really two different animals. I could never be a sprinter because I quite simply don't have the speed, which is what sprinting is all about. Distance running is much more mental, and even a mediocre runner such as myself can enjoy moderate success simply by being determined and running smart. I don't look down on sprinters like a lot of distance guys do, because I realize that while it's nowhere near as brutal, it takes a lot of hard work, conditioning and natural talent to sprint well.
I could also never be a swimmer. I have a lot of respect for swimmers, because, IMO, it is the hardest activity, and I quite simply can't do it. I can swim maybe two laps and then I'm spent.
Well said. Being in running and swimming shape are two totally different things. When I was running XC in high school, i was in great running shape... but put me in a pool and I'd be lucky to do 4 lengths.
- Jul 29, 2001
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Originally posted by: Doug3737
Originally posted by: SWScorch
Zebo: I ran the 1600 and 3200 primarily, and now I run 1500, 5000 and 10,000 in college. I prefer cross country though; tracks are boring and there's no mud
Distance running and sprinting are really two different animals. I could never be a sprinter because I quite simply don't have the speed, which is what sprinting is all about. Distance running is much more mental, and even a mediocre runner such as myself can enjoy moderate success simply by being determined and running smart. I don't look down on sprinters like a lot of distance guys do, because I realize that while it's nowhere near as brutal, it takes a lot of hard work, conditioning and natural talent to sprint well.
I could also never be a swimmer. I have a lot of respect for swimmers, because, IMO, it is the hardest activity, and I quite simply can't do it. I can swim maybe two laps and then I'm spent.
Well said. Being in running and swimming shape are two totally different things. When I was running XC in high school, i was in great running shape... but put me in a pool and I'd be lucky to do 4 lengths.
It's totally different muscles used at different angles...If you ran XC though, given enough time to develope those you'd do well due to stamina and mental disapline taken from the track..I've seen it.
Personally I prefer biking as you get to do a lot more mileage so the exercise you're doing doesn't seem so hard as you get to see some countryside or whatever. It's also fun going off jumps etc, so you don't notice the fact that you're working out really hard so much. Also, since you're going to be doing this mainly for cardio-vascular exercise, I'm sure you can exercise for a lot longer when on a bike. If you're running and you get a stitch or whatever you have to stop completely, rest a little and start running again which is really exhausting. When you cycle you get little breaks (eg downhill sections) which means you're going to be able to keep that heart rate and breathing rate higher for longer.
I believe swimming is the best all round exercise, however, due to the amount of use all of your limbs are getting.
If you choose to take up running, splash out on a decent pair of trainers (they called the same in the US?) which will cushion the impact of each stride and reduce the stress placed on the joints.
Final thought: become a triathlon athlete, then you get to do a bit of all three
I believe swimming is the best all round exercise, however, due to the amount of use all of your limbs are getting.
If you choose to take up running, splash out on a decent pair of trainers (they called the same in the US?) which will cushion the impact of each stride and reduce the stress placed on the joints.
Final thought: become a triathlon athlete, then you get to do a bit of all three
Kelemvor
Lifer
- May 23, 2002
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Swimming is definitely the best workout. As long as you vary the stroke, you will work out far more muscles than you would with either running or biking. And it's no-impact (or at least really, really low) so it's safe for anyone (as long as you know how to swim).
But, it takes a while to get to a point where you feel like you're doing much. In high school we would swim for 1.5 - 2 hours every day after school and I could walk away from that without feeling tired. Now I swim for 30 minutes and I'm dying since I don't work out much any more...
If you are going to swim, you do NOT want to just hop in, swim for 30 minutes straight, and get out. You have to do it in sets to get the best workout. Swim som 50's, 100's, 100's of other strokes, kicks only, pulling only, etc. Otherwise you just get into a slow paced swim zone and you don't get much of a workout. Some health clubs have swim club type activities where they give you a workout to do. Or there are online sites you can go to for beginners wanting to get into swimming and they can come up with a routine to give you the best workout.
But, it takes a while to get to a point where you feel like you're doing much. In high school we would swim for 1.5 - 2 hours every day after school and I could walk away from that without feeling tired. Now I swim for 30 minutes and I'm dying since I don't work out much any more...
If you are going to swim, you do NOT want to just hop in, swim for 30 minutes straight, and get out. You have to do it in sets to get the best workout. Swim som 50's, 100's, 100's of other strokes, kicks only, pulling only, etc. Otherwise you just get into a slow paced swim zone and you don't get much of a workout. Some health clubs have swim club type activities where they give you a workout to do. Or there are online sites you can go to for beginners wanting to get into swimming and they can come up with a routine to give you the best workout.
Amused
Elite Member
- Apr 14, 2001
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Do both. I have found I get great benefits (fat loss and fitness level) from regularly switching off. I'll run for a few months, then bike for a few months, then do elliptical machines and back again.
Each time I switch, the intensity level and learning curve start anew, and I get more of the "newbie" fast acting benefits that so often go away when we plateau.
My new gym is putting in endless pools, so I may give swimming a try, too. If it works for me, I'll add it to the mix.
Each time I switch, the intensity level and learning curve start anew, and I get more of the "newbie" fast acting benefits that so often go away when we plateau.
My new gym is putting in endless pools, so I may give swimming a try, too. If it works for me, I'll add it to the mix.
Kelemvor
Lifer
- May 23, 2002
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What kind of high end gym do you go to that's putting in those kinds of pools? Man I'd love to have one of those at my house. Not sure how they work in a health club though since you can't only get one person in each one so that might mean lots less people can swim at the same time than can in a normal pool....
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