When It’s Better To Run Or Bike

When It’s Better To Run Or Bike

Bicycling and running are two of the most commonly prescribed types of aerobic exercises, but choosing between the two isn’t easy. An article by the New York Times breaks down the benefits and downsides of both so you can decide which is best for you.

Photo by Stuart Grout
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Both activities are good for you, but which is best for you on a personal level depends on what you need. From a calorie-burning standpoint, running is a bit better:

In general, running burns more calories per minute than cycling, Dr. Tanaka said, although the differential slims if you cycle vigorously. According to broad calculations from the American College of Sports Medicine, someone weighing 150 pounds who runs at a brisk seven minutes per mile will incinerate about 1,000 calories per hour. That same person pedaling at a steady 16 to 19 miles per hour will burn about 850 calories. Meanwhile, walking requires far fewer calories, only about 360 per hour at a four-mile-per-hour pace.

That said, running injuries are much more prevalent than cycling injuries, and cycling tends to be easier on the joints. Which is best for you depends on your preferences, but both are good forms of aerobic activity.

Ask Well: Is It Better to Bike or Run? [The New York Times]


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