Bike-riding vs running questions.

**Tommyboy71** · 10-05-2006, 08:30 AM

Greetings to everyone and thanks for taking the time to read my question.

I have read in the forums that running is the "best" way to burn calories, but I much rather prefer to ride a bike. So I have a few questions about that.

1. Does anyone know a ratio to quantify the difference of each. *example: 1 Mile running = 2 miles bike riding, etc..*

2. Will bike riding affect my muscles differently than running? if so, how?

3. Is there a difference between stationary bikeriding and real bike riding concerning calorie burning and cardio?

4. Can HIIT training be contextualized to bike riding? If so, good idea or bad?

Thanks to all for your help.

Tommyboy

**Spud** · 10-05-2006, 10:08 AM

Alot also depends on terrain. Uphill vs. Downhill. Which gear (on the bike) you are using. The quality of your bike.

Riding uphill on the lowest gear is an intense workout. Also, trying to race cars, ie going as fast as you can, is pretty tough too.

**P-funk** · 10-05-2006, 02:00 PM

Originally Posted by Tommyboy71

Greetings to everyone and thanks for taking the time to read my question.

I have read in the forums that running is the "best" way to burn calories, but I much rather prefer to ride a bike. So I have a few questions about that.

1. Does anyone know a ratio to quantify the difference of each. *example: 1 Mile running = 2 miles bike riding, etc..*

2. Will bike riding affect my muscles differently than running? if so, how?

3. Is there a difference between stationary bikeriding and real bike riding concerning calorie burning and cardio?

4. Can HIIT training be contextualized to bike riding? If so, good idea or bad?

Thanks to all for your help.

Tommyboy

1. Don't know. Don't think it would be possible to come up with such a ratio. Well, it might be, but I am to lazy to try.

2. running and bike riding might use similiar muscles in the lower body but they are different. there is a different exercise economy between the two. bike riding is supported, running is not. bike riding is closed chain, running is a combination of open and closed chain (since your foot leaves the floor and then replants again). Running incorporates stability in the lower body. Riding is relatively stable. Just because someone is a good runner, does not mean that they are a good bike rider, and vice versa. In fact, their VO2max could be drastically different between the two.

3. don't know. i guess it would depend on the relative intensity between the two. how hard are you training them?

4. HIIT is great on the bike. I like it better then running because you can go all out (high intensity) and not be afraid of form breaking down, as bad as it can on running.

**assassin** · 10-05-2006, 04:48 PM

riding a bike is more fun ... stationary bike you can watch a movie or listen to music while you do it , i used to do cardio on the bike not to be bored and to be able to stick with it....but if you are serious and need a hardcore exercise then nothing is like running..it'll burn nearly 2x what you'll burn on the bike...but much more effort..specialy if you are over weight..also as p-funk said running uses much more stability muscles..

**Dale Mabry** · 10-05-2006, 05:38 PM

Watch your hammies if you do a lot of bike riding, they can tighten up if you don't stretch them religiously. There was a big debate on whether or not it is advantageous to have athletes use a bike on the sidelines if they can't practice. On the one hand, cardio is moderately affected, but on the other, if they have hamstring problems it will just make them worse.

**JerseyDevil** · 10-05-2006, 06:30 PM

I'm not a trainer, but my uneducated answer would be.....

If you want to ride the bike to burn calories, then ride the friggin' bike to burn calories and stop over analyzing it. Sheesh. Monitor you heart rate and get it into the 'cardio zone' and go for 30-45 minutes a session.

**P-funk** · 10-05-2006, 07:17 PM

Originally Posted by Dale Mabry

Watch your hammies if you do a lot of bike riding, they can tighten up if you don't stretch them religiously. There was a big debate on whether or not it is advantageous to have athletes use a bike on the sidelines if they can't practice. On the one hand, cardio is moderately affected, but on the other, if they have hamstring problems it will just make them worse.

But T.O. rode the bike all pre-season and he had a bad hammie!

Anyway, if you are going to ride the bike, also make sure you stretch your Psoas as it tends to tighten up as well.

**Dale Mabry** · 10-05-2006, 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by P-funk

But T.O. rode the bike all pre-season and he had a bad hammie!

TO had a bad hammie like I have a big cock.

**P-funk** · 10-05-2006, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by Dale Mabry

TO had a bad hammie like I have a big cock.

Who wins this weekend? TO or your Eagles?

**SpeedyReedy5** · 10-05-2006, 07:40 PM

Eagles Baby!!!

**Dale Mabry** · 10-05-2006, 07:43 PM

Prolly cowboys, last I checked Westbrook is doubtful, and 1 of the other RBs has a propensity for fumbling on the 5 yard line. Shepard may play, but with 2 incredible receivers on Dallas' offense, I can't see the patchwork secondary doing much good.

I am a Pats fan, though so I am not too upset.

**Slipknotter** · 10-05-2006, 08:58 PM

i prefer biking. i can bike for a really long time without getting tired. running..psst..ill pass lol

**JimSnow** · 10-06-2006, 10:36 AM

Ever watch the "Tour De France"? The most greuling and painful physical activity a tormented human endures.

By brother-in-law, a marathon runner, has converted himself to a bicyclist. We've got a two-hundred mile race next summer set up. Training for that's gonna kill my bulking time.

If you bicycle, do it right. "Lock" your feet to the peddals so you can use both the "push and the pull" from your legs. Find some hills, work them... you'll see the advantages. You can gear your bikes up if you're like me.

When I get in fair enough shape - there a 26 mile climb into the Blue Ridge I wanna try! 1,500 to 4,500 feet. Not "the tour", but a challenge for most of us.

I'm not answering your questions... I guess it comes down to what you're most passionate about. Training with either can be adapted to your specific requirements. I believe that bicycling, over-all, is far less stressful to joints and tendons... at least in the longrun.

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