Is cycling an alternative to running or not?

It’s no secret that cardio exercises are a great way to get your body pumping. They help develop endurance and strengthen the respiratory and musculoskeletal systems.

It’s mid-summer now, and many people are racing bikes. This raises the question, especially for those who do not like to run: can running be replaced by bicycling? After all, it is the same cardio.

Let’s find out.

World Class trainer

To begin with, it is necessary to understand what a person wants to get.

What are the similarities?

Running and biking are great options for walking. In order to go somewhere, you just need to get out of the house. If you just want to have a fun and rewarding time, it doesn’t matter what you choose. But if you want to delve into the question of what is more effective, you will have to try.

Coach Sergei Kuzminsky says that if a person just wants to improve their physical condition and lose a little weight, you can choose any option. But if we talk about each discipline separately, running and cycling are absolutely different things.

When running, more muscles are involved

When a person runs, several muscle groups are involved in the physical activity – legs, feet, hips, body muscles and arms.

When cycling, things are a little different. The legs and trunk work mainly to maintain balance, but the arms are not involved at all.

Running allows you to better develop your endurance, and if you want to see some results, bicycling is no substitute for jogging.

Sergey Kuzminsky

World Class coach

If a person wants to develop in running, but wants to replace jogging with cycling, he will not be able to progress and reach the performance he wants to achieve. The work and muscle engagement of running and biking are completely different.

Running is #1 in energy expenditure

Every body is certainly unique, so the amount of calories burned during a particular activity will be different and depends on several factors. For example, age, body structure, athletic form and intensity of the workout.

The trainer assures that running will rank higher than cycling in terms of energy expenditure. Running is physically given to a person much harder than cycling. So, if you want to lose weight, it is better to put on sneakers and go out for a jog.

But if you plan to work at 70% of your maximum heart rate, then both types of cardio will be effective.

Bicycling can ruin your posture

If you are not aware of the proper fit, handlebar height and seat height, you can ruin your posture and even get injured. Improper posture can cause injury to your spine, shoulders and knees. That’s why bicycling is not just about getting on and riding. There are a lot of little nuances to consider.

When running, the back position will be more comfortable because it is physiologic. When we walk or run, our body is in an upright position.

Is bicycling an alternative to running?

Running and cycling are great types of exercise to make the body stronger and more enduring. But unfortunately, biking can’t completely replace jogging, especially if you want to lose weight well or maximize your endurance.

The most ideal option is to combine both types of activity. After all, a bike ride is not just cardio. On a bike, you can go farther afield and discover some new places.

Don’t forget that before you take any sport seriously, you need to prepare yourself well. If your muscles are weak, you may have problems with them later on.