Don't worry, wrong section.
Cycling or Running for weight loss?
- Thread starter Short Fuse
- Start date
cite your sources please...
I would love to know your source on this as well. Cycling has done wonders for myself, and several others at our club. I get my heartrate MUCH higher than I can while running, and I can burn a bunch more calories!
As to the original question - I think whichever one you enjoy more, and will do is better for you. Why not do both and switch it up every once in while. Your body will like the change
Running > Cycling. Since you have to balance and support your entire body weight, you naturally burn more calories in doing it, wheras Cycling is a far more efficient means of travelling since your body weight is supported by the saddle and if you're on an excercise bike you don't have to worry about balance.
That said, why not do both? Doing both will work different muscles to different levels of intensity and give you a better overall allround fitness. Also it will provide you with some variety in your workouts to help keep you interested.
Why not consider the rowing maching and cross trainer too?
That said, why not do both? Doing both will work different muscles to different levels of intensity and give you a better overall allround fitness. Also it will provide you with some variety in your workouts to help keep you interested.
Why not consider the rowing maching and cross trainer too?
Generally running burns more calories than cycling because it’s a harder exercise.
As mentioned in the previous post you have to move your entire bodyweight, both upwards and forwards.
Having said this, running, cycling, or any other exercise can be used to lose weight. If you burn more calories than you consume then you’ll lose weight (as long as you’re not starving yourself).
However, because running burns lots of calories it makes it easier to create the calorie deficit needed to lose weight.
As mentioned in the previous post you have to move your entire bodyweight, both upwards and forwards.
Having said this, running, cycling, or any other exercise can be used to lose weight. If you burn more calories than you consume then you’ll lose weight (as long as you’re not starving yourself).
However, because running burns lots of calories it makes it easier to create the calorie deficit needed to lose weight.
Wow, lots of misinformation here.
Fat utilization is going to be subject to intensity of either exercise. While running does utilize a greater amount of overall musculature, which lends itself to higher intensity levels at lower speeds, that can be overcome on a bike provided the cyclist pushes him/herself to a similar intensity level at a higher speed.
Cycling also has the luxury of being a lower impact activity on joint structures, making it more accessible to those with joint problems.
I think Tommo has a great idea in his recommendation of utilizing both activities, as they target different muscle groups and having the options gives much needed variety.
Fat utilization is going to be subject to intensity of either exercise. While running does utilize a greater amount of overall musculature, which lends itself to higher intensity levels at lower speeds, that can be overcome on a bike provided the cyclist pushes him/herself to a similar intensity level at a higher speed.
Cycling also has the luxury of being a lower impact activity on joint structures, making it more accessible to those with joint problems.
I think Tommo has a great idea in his recommendation of utilizing both activities, as they target different muscle groups and having the options gives much needed variety.
Thanks for the information everyone.
This is exactly what I've been doing, I've been interchanging cycling and running each time I do my cardio, keeps things fun and unrepetitive.
Another thing to think about is that it is much easier to go for an extended period of time while cycling than it is running since your body isn't taking as much abuse as when you run (see lower impact mentioned above).
If you have the time and motivation to do high volume aerboic exercise, I would recommend cycling on those days. Cross-train with the running to target different muscles on days where you are more constrained by time. Remember that rest and recovery is just as important as the amount and type of exercise you do.
Take a look at the elite level cyclists and runners - both have a very low body fat percentage which indicates that both are great for losing weight.
If you have the time and motivation to do high volume aerboic exercise, I would recommend cycling on those days. Cross-train with the running to target different muscles on days where you are more constrained by time. Remember that rest and recovery is just as important as the amount and type of exercise you do.
Take a look at the elite level cyclists and runners - both have a very low body fat percentage which indicates that both are great for losing weight.