So I've been running 3 1/2 miles a day for over a year now (well i started @ 1/2 a mile) Anyway one of my professors told me that biking could be better for me...How do i know which one will be better?
2007-12-20 12:39:05 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Cycling
For one thing, biking is zero impact. Running puts a lot of wear on your feet, ankles, and knees. Biking does not. I know many guys who have run for a long time and then were forced to switch to biking because of recurring knee or ankle problems.
HTH
2007-12-20 12:48:55 · answer #1 · answered by intrepidfae 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both are excellent cardiovascular activities, so if you've built up a good fitness and endurance level you probably could ride quite well. But they do use different muscle groups so it would probably be a bit of an adjustment for the first few rides.
I used to supplement my bicycle racing training with some running as well, but nothing serious and it was more to break up the routine of riding, riding and more riding. But my knees started giving me a lot of trouble and my doc recommended I stick to the riding. So I think that is one upside to riding as it is a pretty low impact activity. From a physchological aspect I've always enjoyed riding more because you get a chance to see a lot more things when your travelling at 20+ miles an hour. Of course on the downside traffic can be a pain and discourteous drivers can be downright dangerous at times. But if you make sure that you're always aware of your surroundings you can minimize the risks of incident.
Do you already have a bike? If not then I would recommend going to a couple of reputable bike shops and tell them what type of riding you're looking to do and what kind of price range you want to spend. They will recommend a couple bikes for you to try. Test ride a few different makes and models and I think you'll get a pretty good idea of what will work best for you.
They're a lot of good brands of bikes and most will have something that will fit your needs. I'm partial to Trek because of all the bikes I've sold and ridden throughout the years they've seemed to have the best selection and the best ride quality. But as I said they're are plenty of other brands that will be just as good. It largely depends on what you're looking for and how much money you are willing to spend.
The most important aspect, however, is not the brand but the fit and feel of the bike. In that regard it is vitally important to get a bicycle that properly fits your body measurements and is comfortable to ride. So make sure that wherever you go to purchase a bike they do a proper measurement and fit the bike to your specifications. This will make your riding experience much more enjoyable.
Hope this helps and I hope you give riding a chance because it can be a lot of fun and a great way to get some exercise.
2007-12-20 13:11:13 · answer #2 · answered by Zarathustra 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. I see lots of good answers. I think Zarathus hit it quite well. I am old and was trying to run, but it hurt all my joints. This year I took up cycling and love it. Now I ride when I can ,and jog/run when I can, and it feels good to do both but I'm careful how long and where I run. I run on a soft gravel path and that helps to save my joints and the cycling makes the knees stronger and less painful. I prefer the cycling now though. It makes me feel great to push myself as hard as I can for an hour or two on the bike.
2007-12-22 05:43:19 · answer #3 · answered by 55 and trying 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
running is really good for you. i had been riding my bike durring the summer for a long time and really didnt loose much weight but it still did keep me in shape, running did take the weight off but it hurt a lot more and for me it was harder to breath so what i did was i ran until i got to a comfitorable weight and then biked to take of the rest of what i wanted but you do have to bike further to do the same thing as running
2007-12-20 14:59:40 · answer #4 · answered by pelotonrider819 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it might be more important what activity you like more. I love mountain biking, and running hurts! but some people think different. You could try cycling, neither cycling nor running are a jealous sport, so you could do whatever you feel like later on.
2007-12-21 10:49:32 · answer #5 · answered by Roberto 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Swimming is seen the main perplexing/risky, with the purpose to have all individuals "accounted" for on the beginning up is far less perplexing on the rescue workers in the open water....cycling is a potential for a competitor to "get better" from the swim in a low-effect way and then it effects in the run.....and having human beings strolling over a end line potential the progression merely desires a chute or chutes designed for street racing. it could make for a wild end if cycling ended issues. i comprehend there are swim-sea coast run-swim events in Cali, although.
2016-10-02 04:48:15 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Biking is probably easier on the joints but you'll have to bike further to burn the same number of calories.
2007-12-20 12:46:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
biking, it's easier on my joints and i can see so much more from my bike. but it's true you will have to go farther on a bike to get the same results the difference is you can bike harder for longer and get better sustained BPM's.
2007-12-20 13:14:43 · answer #8 · answered by freeD 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it depends if you are running for leisure then cycling is more fun,
if you are running for fitness then cycling is easier on your joints but you have to cycle further to make up the calorrie loss
2007-12-21 04:35:36 · answer #9 · answered by Jamie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depends on what you want to achieve. in general cycling is easier, more fun and when taken seriously could be more complete than running. it will consume more time than running
carlos
http://www.bikingthings.com
2007-12-20 23:42:29 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋