Cycling or running for weight loss, fat busting and general wellbeing?

[NinjagoNinja]

I'm not great at running. I mean, I can do it (who can't?) but I have to stop frequently, I have little stamina. Plus my pelvic floor doesn't like it and I worry it's bad for the knees.

How about cycling? Is it as effective? I reckon I go for miles without stopping on a bike.

[Blobby10]

I used to run and reckoned on burning about 90 calories a mile when running 11minute mile over the fields. I burn about 30-35 cals a mile on my road bike but much prefer the cycling :

plus sides to cycling 1) it doesn't hurt my ankles and knees and hips so much 2) you can go further and faster which is great on a nice day

down sides: 1) you can't just slip some trainers on and go out. You do need to put the padded leggings on and the hi vis stuff and the helmet (and gloves and snood in winter!) 2) more restricted due to weather - cycling in ice or snow or wind or rain is more dangerous (in my opinion) 3) got to have somewhere to store the bike 4) you ahve to share the roads with other traffic and potholes unless you get an all terrain bike and can go over rougher ground 5) if you join strava you get completely addicted to beating your time on previous segments and obsessing about increasing your average mph

I will be cycling at least 40 miles every weekend once the rugby season ends and hopefully after work doing a short 15 miles one night a week.

[Mummyrowland]

Running way better for burning fat

Get your gait assessed st a running shop and invest in good trainers they are s god send and help with knee problems massively

[MrsTerryPratchett]

Do whatever you'll actually do. 30 minutes of actual cycling is better than 30 minutes of imaginary running, that you didn't do because you hate it.

If you want to run, do couch to 5k for increased stamina and less stopping.

[kaytee87]

Any exercise that you enjoy and will do regularly is what's best.

[nickEcave]

I live in London and find cycling a) dangerous b)unpleasant so I run! Try to do around 6-8K twice a week in winter and three times a week in summer. According to my app I'm burning around 500 calories on each run. I have been doing this for a year and haven't lost any weight at all - I'm 5 foot and bang on 10 stone which puts me in an overweight BMI category but everything below the waist is solid muscle and I feel amazing so I don't care!

[Ihatemyclients]

Running burns a lot more calories and is the best exercise for fat loss. It's also very cheap! You would build up stamina very quickly. However, it's tough on knees.

Do you do kegels for your PF?

[Sirzy]

My knees are stronger than ever since running.

Do a bit of both or do the one you enjoy the most - both are good for you!

[Trinity66]

Running on a treadmill is better for your knees, that's what I do (in front of the TV in my bedroom, terribly common :p )

[BarbarianMum]

Yy to takingbup a sport thst you actually like and will do.

Agreeing to never again try and take up running was my 40th birthday present to myself. So many years of avoidance, frustration and failure.

[carefreeeee]

I don't think exercise is much good for weight loss generally. Unless you are going to be doing the exercise for hours each day. Even then you will probably just be hungrier and eat more. It does make you feel better and might provide motivation and help with will power for eating better foods.

The advantage of cycling over running is that most people can cycle for hours and it's better for your joints.Whereas running is pretty tiring and most people probably wouldn't manage more than half an hour three times a week, which isn't going to burn much energy.

I reckon try and get exercise into your daily life. Nothing wrong with walking either. eg. If you walk 2 miles each way to work that's over an hours exercise each day, and you save the time you would have spent commuting another way. If you have a 5 mile commute, then cycling would obviously be better.

[Sirzy]

My physio told me the opposite teinity and suggested not using a treadmill

[Dragongirl10]

If its weight loss you want just remember its about 90% diet and 10% excercise that will get you there.

For all round health any exercise that you enjoy is best.

[hellsbellsmelons]

Running burns more calories.
However, much of it is not necessarily good, i.e. bad for ankles, knees, pelvis.
Cycling is good and very low impact most of the time.
Brisk walking is probably your best bet though if you like walking.
Have a look on line as you might have a local walking club.

[Trinity66]

Sirzy really, what reason did they give? it's a much softer and also a moving surface so surely impact is lessened an awful lot.

Actually I just googled it and the answer is both

Treadmill Advantages
Running on hard surfaces like concrete can be dangerous because the road does not absorb the impact of your stride. To combat this hazard, treadmills are often designed with padding beneath the moving belt that softens the blow on the feet and helps prevent knee injury. Also, running on hills or on cambered roads can place extra stress on the footstrike, which can increase the impact on your knees. In contrast, treadmills provide you with a flat running surface and the ability to control the angle of the terrain you run on.

Treadmill Disadvantages
Runners don't always use good form on a treadmill, which can be detrimental to knee health. People tend to bounce up and down when they run on treadmills more than they do on roads, either because they are unconsciously trying to save energy by spending less time on the belt, or the speed they have selected is too slow. This motion decreases efficiency and increases the impact on the heel and knees. Treadmill runners also tend to overstride, or reach their legs too far forward on each stride, which also causes pressure on the heel and knees.

livehealthy.chron.com/better-knees-running-treadmill-concrete-5569.html

From my own personal experience I find it easier on the knees than road running

[TimeIhadaNameChange]

I started C25K in November and, whilst I wouldn't attribute any weight loss to it the change in body shape is mainly due to the running. I'm half a stone heavier now than I was at my lightest, but a dress size smaller.

[geekone]

Watch the truth about fitness it's brilliant. Also running is better for your knees than walking. I found it was the wrong trainers that made my knees hurt once I was fitted for a pair bingo no knee pain. (Took up running at 40)
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09qjl7d

[Babybearsporij]

If stamina is your problem when running, slow down. Increase the distance and the speed will come later. Also, cross training helps, strength exercises for your abs & legs.

[himalayansalt]

I prefer cycling. I can go further and explore new places and it is easier on my weak ankle joints.

[TolpuddleFarterOATB]

Just to put another "spin" on it (see what I did there), I have found spinning brilliant for my overall fitness and weight-loss. A good spin class will be a bit of interval training with a bit of stamina training, and I would say it's an option to look at if you are worried about pelvic floor, knees etc.

Also, great thing about spinning is if you find it tough in your first few classes you don't have to stop pedalling, you can pedal slower or knock your resistance down - I find that much less disheartening than having to walk when I've gone out for a run.

[madamedepoppadom]

I would pick running unless you have actual injuries (not just aches) that prevent it. Good trainers are important but lack of stamina isn't set in stone, it's a vicious circle which can be broke. The more you stick at it, the better your stamina will get - and you don't have to become a marathon runner. Doing 5K two or three times a week will have real benefits. You can always increase the speed rather than the distance if that becomes too easy.

Cycling might make you fitter if you cycle at a speed (or up a hill) you find slightly hard, but if you just cycle at your comfortable pace, it probably won't make much more difference than gentle walking.

[hellsbellsmelons]

I get bloody awful shin splints when I try to run.
Maybe I should look at the trainers I wear then.
I just can't do it.
I wish I could.

[Deshasafraisy]

Swimming

[DisgraceToTheYChromosome]

I'm getting a static bike trainer, as the weight needs to come off and my legs are f----d. DSIL and I are going to race each other to London for starters, then try for Edinburgh in a week by June.

[sundowners]

Often heard from both runners and cyclists= running creates bigger bum/cycling regularly= smaller bum!

[Dungeondragon15]

If you have problem with joints perhaps try swimming. I can't run so swim a few miles a week which (according to my fitbit) burns a lot of calories. It is quite time consuming and obviously costs though.