Which is better; running or cycling?

Question

im 5'6 110 pounds and want to start exercising in the morning. I posted a question about jogging recently and have got good responses, and i have been assured that it wont make my calves huge and is a good way of exercising. However, there were a few comments about jogging damaging the joints and that cycling in over all better. Is cycling better? and also ive heard that cycling makes your thighs big ( dont ask me where i get this stuff from). Thnx

Answer 1

skipping is better than both of them.

Answer 2

Jogging will burn more calories and work more muscles than cycling, for the time and effort it will give you more in return.

Cycling is low impact, has little joint or bone problems and is fun to do. You need more time to burn as many calories as with running, but you are likely to endure that amount of time since you work less muscles and so burn more calories.

Now, if you cycle up hills, or at a very fast pace, you can equal cycling to running, or it can even be more demanding, but it is hard to keep that pace 3 times a week !

Do whatever you enjoy most, and a at level you exercise and have fun.

If possible, do both.

If you run get good shoes and try doing it on soft ground to diminish impact.
If you cycle be sure your cycle is set to fit properly to avoid joint injury.

It is hard to get really big thighs, firmer yes, but bulky will be something hard to get, so do not worry about that.

Answer 3

Hi, I'm 6' and 140-145 pounds and I do both.

Running is definitely a much higher impact sport than cycling. I love running but after symptoms of knee damage and consulting with a sports injuries specialist, I do not run more than three times a week, never more than 30 minutes, and always on a treadmill. Cycling I may do more than that (not the same week as running three times though, wish I had the time!).

Swimming is an excellent low impact sport too. I know from experience that skipping is hard work (=> good for exercising) but I do not understand why people say that it is low impact, certainly not on the ankles.

If you do not intend to enter competitions, try and do several sports. Keeps the variety high and boredom low, and lowers the risk of straining any particular part of your body.

Answer 4

Both have great benefits but if you go with running (my preference, feels like ive had a really good work out), minimize aches and pains by warming up properly.

When I first started, I used to get a lot of twinges in my knees so a friend said i wasnt warming the muscles up properly... since then, never felt a twinge!

If nothing else, definitely get a good pair of trainers that absorb some of the impact and always cool down after - helps flexibility too!

With regards to the 'big' muscles: unless you're specifically doing lots of heavy weights, its unlikely anything will get too big.... In fact weights are essential to toning up (the rule is, to build big muscle you do heavy weights but less reps... for toning you'd do light weights but more reps).

Unless you started working out like an athlete, its unlikely that you'll develop any unnecessarily big muscles!

Answer 5

Well said about the skipping. Cycling uses more muscles and doesn't bugger your knees and ankles up like running does so I would opt the the cycle.

Swimming is also a great exercise that uses a lot of muscles and squash is a great game for burning off the calories.

Answer 6

Cycling, because both my friends that used to run regularly
(only way to have the benefits as well) suffered from hip-,
knee- and back problems afterward forcing them to stop
(even though they were training under best circumstances:
(good shoes, healthy diets, enough water, stretching etc.).
Those two are either swimming and do Pilate's ( mat-workout that is a mix of yoga and classical gymnastics, that's what I do too)
My friends who exercise on a bicycle are in great shape and still love it. Enjoy

Answer 7

although a lot of people will say walking, you tend not to get the same buzz and refreshed feeling from walking. Cycling is good but it doesnt feel as enjoyable as you are sitting down. I say, running on grass....i go to the park. As grass is softer, your joints are safer and it has all the benefits of a good workout

Answer 8

I'm a very keen cyclist on road and off, it is a good fat burner and really good for the heart but you must try to take long journeys, take on some hills to really benefit, and if you can try to keep the cadence{revolutions per minute} between 60-90.just count every 15sec and divide by 4. you can buy speedometers for bikes they are usually around £10 they give u alot of info, you will definitely benefit all round.hope you can understand that, good luck

Answer 9

I still prefer jogging, though I cheat and do most of it on a treadmill. This puts little or no strain on my ageing joints, and I can still manage 4k a day though, not bad for 56.

Answer 10

Running does play up on the joints but there are alot of supplements out there for prevention and relief, i take glucosamine for my joints. Cycling is really good for toning your legs and burning fat. both are beneficial.

Answer 11

After years of running I had to switch to cycling. The constant pounding had trashed my ankles, knees, hips and lower back.