My brother has got into cycling doing approx 160 miles a week, would it be of any benefit of running also?

Answer 1

The depends.
If he's into cycling, running the same time you are in the season would not benefit he's cycling.

If you're talking about exercise in general, running works the legs and body differently. When I was cycling that kind of mileage I actually had a hard time running, I was stunned. He could run too but not added onto that mileage. Skip a ride to run. Now I only run if I have a flat and have to get home fast! I have bad knees - running HURTS!

Again, if his goal is to race etc. he should not run during the cycling season. Off season would work better and be a change of pace.

Answer 2

Running has three differences from cycling - different muscle groups are used, impact (which has benefits for maintaining bone density), and a different heart rate intensity profile.

Running tends to use more hamstring (rear of the thigh) where cycling will tend to use more of the quadricep (front of the thigh).

Exercising to increase bone density is important for older athletes- low bone density leads to bones that are easier to break.

However impact has the downside that others have mentioned: joints may not be used to the pounding. Running on softer ground (grass, synthetic rubber track) likely will be better starting out compared to concrete or asphalt.

I find my heart rate approaches maximum much faster running than cycling; I can more reliably sustain a certain heart rate during cycling.

Other notes about your brother training:

Don't forget to have a rest day in the midst of the training - overtraining can be as bad as an injury.

Stretching will help both running and cycling and is recommending after all training.

Answer 3

Probably, but it's going to be hard to fit in without cutting bike miles back some. Running helps build core muscles which are important for strength and stability on the bike, but which don't get built up by cycling alone. Substituting one day of cycling per week with any kind of cross training that builds hip and abdominal strength is going to be beneficial.

Answer 4

It depends on his goals. Now is the cycling season, so lets cycle. Running could be of help during the winter season to help him keep his shape for next spring.

Working his upper body would be of more benefit since it gets little work while cycling. Also stretching would be of great benefit in every way, even to his cycling resistance, power and technique.
Upper body exercise could be incremented during the off season (winter training), but doing some now is also beneficial:
Abs: crunches and leg lifts. Arms:; Push ups, some bicep curls and triceps work out. Shoulders: hand stands or military press. (Resistance bands, or light weights could be of help too for this routine).

He could do this upper body simple routine twice a week in a effort according to his cycling demands.


And, a daily kiss to his sister, for she is so caring of him, should be in order too!

Cheers to you .

Answer 5

Competion or fun, having tried to combine the two in my youth at a competion level thay are incompatable, I chose cycling in the end, wrong as it turned out my build is all wrong to tall, I should have stuck to running ( sub 4 min mile ) ( cycling sub 22 for 10 mile TT (!975)) as a general exercise as in cross training it ok but find the discapline and stick to it.

Answer 6

They're both good cardio workouts, and they use different major muscle groups. For me, I tried running one year when the biking weather was over but it bothered my knees, so I had to stick with using an indoor trainer with the bike.

So, some running would be beneficial, but he should listen to his body and see how it goes.

Answer 7

It would save his knees a little bit, especially if he does a lot of up hill work. But biking is none the less a great form of exercise.

Answer 8

running will work his abs a little and his arms, but thats so bad for your knees and ankles. Have him swim or, do sit ups and jumping jacks on carpet before a ride, oh yeah.

Answer 9

Nope. The only exercise better than cycling is swiming.

Answer 10

In biking you use one set of muscles.
In running you use other set of muscles.