Cycling or Running: Which is better for weight loss

April 15. 2022

Running and cycling are very popular hobbies and exercises that people generally enjoy doing. They both have many benefits for your health as well as your weight. So how does one choose whether running or cycling is better for weight loss?

Calories they burn

The number of calories that a person can burn by running or cycling depends on several factors such as current weight, a person’s metabolism, and the speed of running or cycling.

People who weigh more will burn more calories during either exercise and vice versa. But don’t let that change your mind about these exercises. Generally speaking, running burns more calories than cycling because during cycling, you move less.

You can get your BMI checked at any weight loss clinic. If your BMI is high, you’ll end up burning even more calories with running and cycling.

Weight loss

Losing weight is nothing more than a calorie deficit. That means that you use more calories than you take. So it’s necessary to be mindful of what you’re eating and maintain a healthy life. Many struggle with cravings the most. With Full-Feel®, your life gets so much easier! It is primarily an appetite suppressant, but it also prevents your body from storing too much fat.

So if you’re wondering if running or cycling is better for weight loss, we’ll have to say running is a winner as it burns more calories than cycling.

Health benefits

Heart

Both running and cycling are aerobic activities, so they help strengthen your heart so it can pump more oxygen into your body. These exercises teach your heart to pump more efficiently even when not working out. To get all the benefits of cycling and running, limiting these activities to no more than 60 minutes per day is advised.
Regular cycling improves lung health, stimulates circulation, strengthens the heart muscle, and reduces fat levels in the blood. Running helps improve cardiovascular health as well, even in small doses.

Muscle

Cycling uses the major muscle groups: quadriceps and hamstrings, while the muscles involved in the running are quadriceps, gluteus, hamstrings, and plantar.
Cycling helps build muscle because pushing pedals while biking is considered resistance training that builds leg muscles. Even though those muscles aren’t as engaged as the bottom ones, the top part of your body is also involved while cycling.
Running also uses all of the muscles simultaneously but doesn’t engage them in a way cycling does, so it doesn’t build much bulk. Running is better for toning muscles because your body burns more calories. To achieve a more toned look, run slower. And if you want to build muscle, you need to add some weight training and change your diet. If you want to lose weight and be able to build muscle, you should try the HCG diet and ketosis.

Bone

Because running causes a higher impact on bone than cycling, it may be better for bones long-term. Cycling is a lower impact exercise, and it doesn’t exert too much force on the joints.
Running is known to lower the risk of osteoporosis, while cycling can’t achieve the same results but can provide relief in arthritis and helps lubricate the joints.

Mental

Any exercise works wonders for mental health. Exercise helps build immunity and improves sleep quality, which all help improve mental health.

Injury risk

Whether you’re trying to lose weight or just doing this for fun, choosing running or cycling depends a lot on this factor. Both running and cycling come with risks. Especially when outside. Not just because of different surface types but because of cars and other influences. You should make sure you are visible and wear reflective clothes. It’s also recommended that cyclists wear helmets to alleviate the injury.

Running is often associated with injuries. Because it’s a high-impact activity, it’s essential to monitor how your body’s feeling, as many injuries occur when the body is exhausted.

Sleep is good for your weight loss and avoiding injuries, so if you have trouble with sleep, don’t worry; we have something for it too. Sweet Dreamz® is a chewable supplement containing melatonin that will ensure a good night’s rest and help your body reset for the next day.

Cost

Running requires no equipment other than a pair of running shoes which are cheaper than what cycling requires. For long-term running, people may invest more in running clothes and shoes.

You may consider renting or borrowing a bike before investing if you’re new to cycling. There are plenty of options to buy a good second-hand bike. You also might need a helmet, lights and reflective gear, padded gloves, and padded shorts.

So, cycling is more expensive than running, but a quality pair of running shoes can be expensive too.

And also, running is an easy activity to work into your schedule no matter where you are. So if you travel a lot, this is great for you!

Underlying chronic conditions

Any exercise brings enormous benefits to almost anyone. Yes, you read it right – not everyone. If someone is suffering from a chronic health condition, it’s essential to check with your doctor if these activities are safe for you. If you want to check if you can run or cycle, schedule your call today and consult the professionals!

Final thoughts

The crucial factor when choosing whether running or cycling is better for you and your weight loss journey is to find something you can actually enjoy and stick with it. Both cycling and running benefit a person’s health and fitness. They’re great because a person can gradually build up strength and endurance, which helps him be motivated to keep exercising and still enjoy it. After looking at all the pros and cons, you can choose. Or you don’t have to – you can combine both to keep a varied workout routine. For the best weight loss result, you should combine different types of workouts – lifting weights, cardio, yoga, functional fitness, etc.

Author

Nurse Walton

Born and raised in Chicago, IL, Chanay received her Practical Nurse licensure and went to work in clinical specialties such as Home Health, Assisted Living, Long-Term Care and Dialysis Centers. Through this work, she realized the importance of diet, nutrition and weight loss among her patients. This led her to open A Better Weigh, Inc. Medical Weight Loss Center in 2009.