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Losing wieght...is it better running or riding a bike?

Posted by piodalcin • 8/27/08 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: bike riding, excercise, fitness, losing weight, running, sports, weight loss

I admit it...I am fat...but working hard to slim down.
I have been riding my bike constantly for the past 3 years with some good results. Recently I started running one hour three times a week and I see better weight reduction...Please share your though on this..

THanks

User Comments

8/27/08

casualblogger

I heard that riding a bike is easier for the knees... I'm not a doctor nor not a specialist..

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1. 8/27/08
  
  piodalcin
  
  that is true that is why I started with the bike instead of running...I was
  240 pounds back then in 2005 now i'm down to 175...and trying to run
8/27/08

jafabrit

I found walking 40 mins to an hour a day helped enormously.

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1. 8/27/08
  
  piodalcin
  
  you mean walking instead of running?
8/27/08

kevinatserieatalk

workout before you eat!

I try to exercise in the morning before breakfast

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1. 8/27/08
  
  piodalcin
  
  that is true..running on an empty stomach helps a lot
8/27/08

LoveIan

Yeah -- one of the reasons it's best to exercise in the morning (especially before you've eaten) is because it burns off fat from your body (instead of taking the energy from the calories in the food you've eaten throughout the day). So for weight loss that's the best bet.
They'd both be good for losing weight, but like with any exercise it really depends how you do it. If you're making yourself work really hard on the bike it will be better for weight loss - it's easier to take breaks on the bike than running though.
Running is likely better for weight loss, especially if you are working hard to keep as much motion in your body as possible (pumping your arms etc.)

I find with exercise though I like to choose it based on what I enjoy most - in the end I'm likely to do it more frequently and for longer periods of time. So in the end I think that's the most important (and ends up being the most beneficial).

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1. 8/28/08
  
  piodalcin
  
  thats a great point of view thanks for sharing...actually i'm alternating both running and biking based on wwhat i feel like doing on that particular day...if it's raining i run...if sunny i bike...
8/27/08

polybore

I prefer the bike. When running the scenery changes to slowly for polybore.

Having said that swimming is one of the best, if not the best, exercises. Very, very low chance of injury.

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1. 8/28/08
  
  piodalcin
  
  i agree
8/27/08

urikalish

What kind of bicycles?

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8/27/08

ModelElaine

Running is definitely a faster way to lose lots of weight

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8/27/08

whiteline

I've done both - road cycling & those insane "spin" classes because my knees would kill me after running. I did find that the cardio workout is about the same in both but the weight loss is much greater when running. I trained and did a half marathon (not the original intent of running) and shed 30 lbs in very short order. I disagree though - you should eat a little something about 30 minutes prior to a run - peanut butter and a half of bannana worked good for me - you have to fuel the body to get it to burn the unwanted calories/fat.

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1. 8/28/08
  
  piodalcin
  
  great point thanks for sharing....if i am to run on a bike and have to go up on the mountains i drink coffee and honey about one hour prior going up hill....if i run i do it on an empty stomach but i drink about one liter water before starting my one hour run
8/27/08

KiefersCorner

Interval training will get you the quickest fat loss, add a healthy diet and the weight will start falling off.

[reply]
1. 8/28/08
  
  piodalcin
  
  by interval you mean 3 days a week?
2. 8/31/08
  
  chief302
  
  Interval training is short bursts of higher intensity training with rest periods in between. For example: Run one lap, walk half a lap, and repeat. Hill workouts can be quite intense as well.
8/27/08

GeorgieB

I do long walks now as a replacement for bike riding. Currently unable to safely ride a bike, I find its a better exercise and excellent way to meditate.

[reply]
1. 8/30/08
  
  piodalcin
  
  i agree...although i find it easier to meditate on a bike than running or walking
8/27/08

fated82

Running I guess, as you burn your calories faster. Riding a bike seem like a lazy man's way of doing it.

YOu might want to visit my blog for inspiration or motivation in weight loss...

www.centiblab.com

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8/27/08

hayvensage13

The running will help you lose weight faster because it is more of a high cardio workout. Any workout that really gets your heart racing and sweating - is the best workout for losing FAT. The bike riding is good but limited to certain muscles and won't lose the fat as well. The bike riding is good for toning those leg muscles though.

What I would really recommend though is dancing. You kinda get the whole package with that - it's fun, it's good cardio workout, helps lose weight with balanced diet, helps your balance and equilibrium, and makes you feel good

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8/27/08

ttiger

healthy low carbs meal cut on pasta, liquor and breads. drink lots of red meat, chicken breast, veggies and fruits and lots of filsh like salmon
30 minute fast walk daily

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8/27/08

augustdreamt

I lost a ridiculous amount of weight SUPER quickly when I started unicycling. It's more portable than a bike (I don't live in an area that is good for riding, I always had to load up my bike and drive it somewhere else), and much more fun than running. Distance unicycling is okay, but mountain unicycling is the best.

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8/27/08

mchelle

I don't know if it really makes a difference, as long as it gets your heart rate up and you are exercising 30 minutes 3 times a week.

I've lost a lot of weight recently (from size 18 to 11 & still going well 6 months later!) - you can download/read my free ebook below on how I did it below :

losefree.com/how-it-works
(no sign up required!)

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8/27/08

satijournal

The only way to lose weight is to burn more calories than you take in. I need to lose some weight. I've been having problems with my knees which I believe is osteoarthritis. I'm at about 215lbs right now. I'm going to get down to 190 by election day. My diet starts... NOW!

Oh, almost forgot. I found a good "on demand" exercise video that makes me sweat like a pig, so it must be doing some good.

[reply]
1. 8/27/08
  
  LoveIan
  
  Yeah that's pretty much the whole weight loss principle right there All of the fad diets do my head in.
  There are some other aspects that are important too - like making sure you have drink enough water. Your body needs alot of water to metabolize fat most efficiently.
8/27/08

drjay1966

Biking is lower impact, which is especially important if you're older and overweight.

[reply]
1. 8/30/08
  
  piodalcin
  
  you are absolutely right...when i started biking 3 years ago i could'nt even think of running due to my weight...now i can and i'm grateful towhat the bike helped me achieve
8/27/08

Grumpus

My vote is for running. I'm someone who has gone from 200 to 140 in 8 about months, from running.

(about 10 miles a week in 2 mile chunks. Plus, my walk to work every day is a 4 mile round trip and I walk fast. That helps.).

Running is excellent cardiovascular excercise and burns fat like nobody's business.

Cycling, unless you are really pushing it, will simply not burn as much or get your heart going because your body is not as fully engaged. Even a slow trot is more toning/fat burning than the way an average person rides a bike. Obviously you can cover more ground on a bike so that may give you the illusion of getting more excercise. But I've noticed a lot of good results from running - more endurance, energy, and muscle tone, so this is what I recommend. Plus it's free and you can do it any old time.

I also have become a vegan in the same time frame (before I was a lacto-vegetarian). But I eat a lot. That's actually the main reason I run, so I can fill my face with impunity. That's not such a bad thing since it's just vegetable dishes, whole grains and fruits we're talking about.

Good luck and take it easy. You don't need to run like a bat out of hell to start noticing results. Pace yourself and it gets easier quickly!

[reply]
1. 8/28/08
  
  piodalcin
  
  thanks really for sharing your experience,very helpful
8/27/08

SteeleShape

You saw another drop in weight when you started running because it was a new challenge for your body. If you had been cycling for 3 years with no variation your body hit a plateau. Both cycling and running are great exercises as long as you keep your heart rate up and break a sweat for at least 30 mins. You should mix up your workouts, try cycling twice a week and running twice a week to keep your body guessing.

You should also eat a small amount of healthy carbs about 30-60 mins before your workout. If you don't you won't be able to push your body into a high intensity state without getting light headed or sick. Also your body could see that as a state of starvation and begin holding on to fat, because your not feeding it enough of the right foods!! good luck!

[reply]
1. 8/28/08
  
  piodalcin
  
  great suggestions thanks
8/27/08

cooper

I've never been heavy due to genes I think, but I run almost daily unless I hike, and have since I was in high school (well in college it was a couple times a week). I think running is a pretty good way to keep healthy in general.

[reply]
1. 8/30/08
  
  piodalcin
  
  agree..i envy you for being in shape...i'll get there too i promise
8/27/08

210betty

Alright I've helped countless people lose weight in the military and I will tell you the best thing is speed walking. It's like running, you get your heart going but you're not pounding the ground. I personally only speed walk due to a back injury and I've stayed fit.

[reply]
1. 8/30/08
  
  piodalcin
  
  i must try that too but how fast is speed walking?
2. 8/30/08
  
  210betty
  
  Depends on how fast you normally walk really. I try to do 3 miles under 38 minutes. That may sound slow to some but it works great for me. Of course I do other things like light lifting but that's just so I can walk around the gym and make sure the other members are doing their full hour of PT in uniform... I'm so evil!
8/28/08

mtyler77

I lost some weight this spring (about 10 lbs) and I varied my routine of working out. Some days, I ride my bike, on other days, I do a yoga class, yet on other days, I go for a run. I think the key (for me) for a successful work out routine is to shake it up so I don't get bored. I think I would get really bored of only running or riding a bike.

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8/28/08

Bayho

I run about seven miles a day since I'm on cross country and it DOES take a toll on your knees. My right knee is currently going through some pain right now. . .I'm in shape though. I don't know which is better for weight loss but i think that bike riding is better for your body. I would alternate between the two.

[reply]
1. 8/30/08
  
  piodalcin
  
  yep
8/28/08

ekim941

I have no opinion on this, I just wanted to say, "good for you!!"

[reply]
1. 8/30/08
  
  piodalcin
  
  thanks for stopping by
8/28/08

jeremylong

both forms of exercise will get you the result.
personally, i've tried running and it works well
for me (thrice a week)

[reply]
1. 8/30/08
  
  piodalcin
  
  running is working better for me too at the moment...imust agree then
8/28/08

crawler

Why don't you try swimming too....

[reply]
1. 8/30/08
  
  piodalcin
  
  you're right crawler but I have to pack up and go to the swimming pool pay a ticket take a shower first and after...drive to it and so....running is cheaper sois biking (if you already own a bike)
8/30/08

G8rbryan

I was told by a trainer several years ago that you burn just as many calories walking a mile as to running a mile.

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8/30/08

dosox

Walking is always the best because your heart is almost at normal state.

[reply]
1. 8/30/08
  
  piodalcin
  
  that could be a good point...but if you need to burn fat like i do your cardio should be above that normal state no?
8/30/08

Anok

Keep in mind that you went from 240 pounds to 175 - depending on your height, 175 may very well be your target healthy weight - and toning is all you need to do now.

Also keep in mind that it is easier to lose weight faster the heavier your are - once you get down close to your healthy weight, taking the weight off is harder, and slower. SO it may not have anything to do with biking VS running, and everything to do with your metabolism, target weight, and physical needs.

Make sure you are eating enough to sustain your work out routine, and that you are getting plenty of sleep. Both will aid your metabolism, and help you lose weight in a healthy way.

Jafa has the right idea though - walking quickly (So that your heart rate still hits that target rate) will have similar results as running, minus the joint jarring consequences. Biking is similar, although it works the muscles slightly differently.

Since you are at a reasonable weight for the average man, I'd say start focusing a bit on "cross training" or that is, do your cardio every other day (minimum 30 minutes) and add light weight training on the off days for muscle tone.

Heavy weights with fewer, slower reps will build muscle. Lighter weights with more, faster reps will tone. (not TOO fast though, you'll hurt yourself.)

Hope that helps!

And remember, muscle mass increases your metabolism!

[reply]
1. 8/30/08
  
  piodalcin
  
  thank you so much for your helpful advice
2. 8/30/08
  
  Anok
  
  No problem! I should also add that if you plan to swim for cardio as well - be wary of mixing activities like running and swimming. Keep them to different seasons, if you want specific results. (unless you plan on training Olympic style )
  
  Swimming will elongate your muscles, while running and similar activities will create the "tear and build" that create muscle mass. So the two activities (done casually) can contradict one another.
8/30/08

PotatoChef

Swimming is really good exercise and a great way to get into shape and lose weight.

You might want to try having a friend take you out, oh say about 5 miles into the ocean, throw you overboard, and let you swim back to shore.

I'm pretty sure you will arrive at the beach weighing less than when you woke up that day.

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8/30/08

AainaA

Swimming is the better exercise - it tones every part of your body - if you have a skating rink, do skating - ice, rollerblading whatever but do it. The other one is when you're hungry drink loads of water - its only 0 calorie, and it works to purge out all the toxins.

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8/31/08

flamingpoodle

Any high-impact exercise like running is going to wear and tear your joints. Riding a bike is much easier on the knees. Swimming is a great exercise, it has more resistance than riding a bike and you still don't have high impact.

It's also a good idea to stick to whole foods. Smoothies are awesome too.
You can find some advice on nutrition and smoothies here:

bobbyrock.wordpress.com/

All these smoothies are vegan.

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8/31/08

piodalcin

thanks

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9/08/08

residentjester

Anyone interested in new and interesting workouts...check out my blog. It will be updated daily with new functional workouts. These workouts will make you stonger, leaner and more well rounded.

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9/08/08

calais50

Good for you. I have read that of all the equipment in the gym, the treadmill is the one most likely to result in weight loss. I run 15 mi a week and have seen people slim down quickly by running. I also lost 15 lbs a few yrs ago by walking.

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9/08/08

cranelegs

definitely, riding a bike (not sure how to run a bike).
more specifically, watching someone riding a bike (i find it easier on the knees).

[reply]
1. 9/14/08
  
  bradhart
  
  you tend to burn fewer calories watching the bike rider rather than actually riding her yourself.
9/08/08

Blogulucostel

Take a look of this www.blogulucostel.blogspot.com

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9/08/08

residentjester

The trick to losing weight is DIET. The trick to fitness is using tons of different training methods in a lot of varied ways and diet. Just becasue you lose weight does not mean you will be in shape.

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9/10/08

piodalcin

true but i'm sweating my butt off maaan...trying tolose those extra pounds

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9/11/08

spotmoonpc

Apparently walking 10 steps is a good workout - so get hold of a pedometer and you can measure your steps. Its about a 45 minute walk.

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9/11/08

piodalcin

it so hard to lose those extra pounds...

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9/11/08

BeInWonder

I skimmed the responses because I've got maybe 5 minutes before my kiddos want something ... so I say whichever you enjoy most, because that's what you're likely to do!

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9/12/08

piodalcin

yeahhh

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9/14/08

piodalcin

nope

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9/14/08

bradhart

you are using a different set of muscles and thus targeting some areas you weren't before. If you can run good for you, I wish I could still at 33 I am in need of double knee replacements so it is just a hand bike for me...

[reply]
1. 9/14/08
  
  piodalcin
  
  i feel really lucky and count my blessing....thanks for sharing
9/14/08

robinj

give up anything out of a packet anything with sugar in it and never touch another soda again that should do it oh and never go back for seconds

[reply]
1. 9/14/08
  
  piodalcin
  
  thanks
9/14/08

olgatravelingbra

Walking at least 4mph 5X/week helped me drop about 20lb this summer...

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9/14/08

piodalcin

wow..great i must try it thanks

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9/15/08

gabgab

i find biking better since it is less painful on the joints, and i still get to lose some weight.

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9/15/08

sherliez

I still prefer to jog than to bike because I get to move my arms as well when I do. When biking, I can only have limited arm movements if I stand on the pedals....

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9/17/08

piodalcin

unless you do spinning...and exercise while working with your feet

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2/13/09

Craw

I lost weight on mountain biking and I started to lessen my rice intake (Asian :P).

Before I used to eat 3 servings of rice every meal, and even on those non-meal times (mid-afternoon snacks, midnight snacks) but now I eat as often but not as much rice.

I started mountain biking mid-2008. Here's a visual comparison of what I think (and my wife said) as my biggest form and what I think I was at my slimmest. And right now I'm maintaining that.

i23.photobucket.com/albums/b374/4x4PH/Weight_Comparison-May1108_Dec1808.jpg

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