Thread: tred mill vs. cycle

Cardio isn't used to build muscle, so the apparatus really doesn't matter. What your heart rate and effort level are at is more important. The only difference some people would say is that biking only uses your lower body, whereas running uses your entire body therefore running is better.

According to my exercise physiology texts - biking at a moderate pace has the same calorie burning effect as jogging at a 12 minute mile.

It's a good idea to switch types of machines often anyway just for variety and to give your body something different and take strain off of your joints.

I feel a better burn from a cycle

I do not jog, or do any high impact cardio. I use a treadmill for powerwalking on an incline, I also use a bike and elyptical.

I prefear treadmill since my cardio system isn't the best in the world. I find that I burn more cals on it than bike. But if I plan to do cardio for more then 30min I would use a bike.

Right now I am stuck on the bike for cardio. But hopefully that will change soon.

Boxing is another good form of cardio. It requires a lot of foot work as well as upper body movements. I've got a heavy bag in my garage and I love it.

Originally posted by mervin
....I have always jogged on the tred mill after workouts for cardio and to burn fat, but started recently having back pain on the tred mill so I decided to try the bicycle today.....

I watch guys at my gym jog on the treadmill. Whether they are jogging on it fast or slow, it doesn not seem like natural movement to me. The way their knees and feet land and then are raised during their running. It also seems (to me) that jogging on the treadmill is more impactful than running on regular ground.

IMHO, the bike is much safer.

if i had to resort to using a machine for cardio , then i woul do 10 min. on each one. i would walk on a treadmill with a steep incline but running on one is garbage ,not like runnung for real at all.

Originally posted by TheRoyalOne
Boxing is another good form of cardio. It requires a lot of foot work as well as upper body movements. I've got a heavy bag in my garage and I love it.

I agree, the heavy bag really works a fella over, first time I ever used one It felt like I had upright rowed for 2 days straight.

Originally posted by Willdebeast
if i had to resort to using a machine for cardio , then i woul do 10 min. on each one. i would walk on a treadmill with a steep incline but running on one is garbage ,not like runnung for real at all.

Then why do so many people buy and run on treadmills?

Originally posted by WebMonkey
Then why do so many people buy and run on treadmills?

Because they aren't aware (like most folks).

I used to run quite a bit in my youth, like 35 miles a week. Nowadays I like to do only moderate cardio. Too much, or too intense cardio is self defeating when combined with a muscle building routine and diet. I like to powerwalk on either a track or treadmill, and also use a elliptical machine. I like the elliptical a lot. It gets the heart rate up, but isn't too intense.

I love the ellipticle, its by far my favorite. When I want an easy day of cardio just leave the setting low but if you need to get crazy it can keep up. I feel between cycle, treadmill, and ellipticle the ellipticle works me the most. But if I only had a cycle or treadmill option I would go with the cycle because the treadmill feels un-natural. When the weather warms up I run outdoors in the moutains like twice a week. I feel outdoor cardio as opposed to indoor cardio builds a greater stamina with all the elements acting on you.

Forget about cardio.
Or switch to swimming

Originally posted by Mr_Snafu
Because they aren't aware (like most folks).

I read something that rated biking just below swimming in terms of the number of calories/hour burned. The fact that it is a very low impact exercise helps too. I also find biking more enjoyable than jogging on a treadmill, because it feels more natural; of course, that is personal preference and nothing more.

i like ellypticals--smooth motion

Originally posted by Mr_Snafu
Because they aren't aware (like most folks).

Well, there's a lot of people that run marathons etc that run on treadmills so I would think they know something.

I guess if you really want to get your heart rate going, some ephedra wouldnt hurt

Originally posted by WebMonkey
Well, there's a lot of people that run marathons etc that run on treadmills so I would think they know something.

I'd like to think that I do

There is a difference between running on a treadmill and running outside, the biggest one being the force applied when you strike the ground as opposed to striking a tmill. However, the motion of running is still the same and on tmills you can still do speed work, hill work and other drills. Plus I'm not crazy enough (yet) to be running outside when it is -15 degrees.