Running or threadmill or bike

colman1212

Hey,

Just wondering whats better for fitness/ weight loss.
I do about 3 - 4 weight sessions a week. i only do cardio once or twice a a week for about 20 mins.

Should I
1) run on a threadmill for 20 mins
2) go for a run outside
3) go on an exercise bike for 20 mins.

Thanks...

Gillo

I'd say run outside, thread mills and exercise bike's can be pretty boring at least with road running you can vary the route from time to time and are more likely to stick with it.

I also remember reading in a recent issue of Mens Health, that road running is meant to be better for your gluts (you a$$) than running on a thread mill, I'll try to find the article and post the details.

If the machines you are using are in a gym, why not try something like a cross trainer or rowing machine that can also be used for upper body

colman1212

Yeah I much prefer running outside but feels like I sweat an awful lot more more when I go on the exercise bike as much as I hate it!

Might stick with the runnning for a fe weeks and see how it goes...

estebancambias

I hate running outside, but find it much easier.

N00b2fitness

Funny - I find running outside (non treadmill) much easier too. I was surprised by the distance I could cover last time I did it.

If you have access to a rowing machine that would be something to consider too. in 20 or 30 minutes you could fit in 4 x 1000m interval rows with a couple of minutes rest in between. Should be enough to get your heart racing. If time is of the essence I'd recommend that, having started it in the last few weeks.

Otherwise then I'd do treadmill...

Any reason why you restrict your cardio to 1/2 times a week? I reckon doing the above on a rower after each weights workout wouldn't do any harm at all. I could be wrong tho - so I'm open to correction on that.

xebec

Why not mix it up? All of them can get boring if you don't...

Also, comparing the three, the running outside won't do your joints any good where as treadmills tend to take some of the pressure or using the bike/crosstrainer/rower will minimise the pressure on joints. Of course someone with more knowledge than me will be along soon to give better advice...

Personally I really enjoy running outside and tend to run a bit quicker without realising it, however when I can I run on grass rather than road/pavement. But for me in general I use the treadmill most days and a mix of the other machines to keep it interesting.

WHIP IT!

xebec wrote: »

Why not mix it up? All of them can get boring if you don't...

Also, comparing the three, the running outside won't do your joints any good where as treadmills tend to take some of the pressure or using the bike/crosstrainer/rower will minimise the pressure on joints. Of course someone with more knowledge than me will be along soon to give better advice...

Personally I really enjoy running outside and tend to run a bit quicker without realising it, however when I can I run on grass rather than road/pavement. But for me in general I use the treadmill most days and a mix of the other machines to keep it interesting.

I wouldn't be too sure about this - I'm personally fairly wary of treadmills as I think they are hard on your joints...

To the OP, I think if you "get into" running outside it can actually become something of a passion... I started last year to run on the road and I only did it to lose a bit of weight and improve endurance etc... It was a means to an end and I didn't expect to enjoy it, in fact - I assumed I'd hate it...

But once I started and realised I could do a little more than I thought I would be able to and saw the progress that can be made fairly quickly - I realised I really liked it!

I think if I ran for ten minutes on a treadmills I'd feel like shooting myself out of boredom - regardless of what was on TV in the gym at the time!

ninjasurfer1

I found this linka while back that seems to point to 1 mile of running being equivalent to approx 4 - 5 miles of cycling:

http://www.thefinalsprint.com/2006/12/running-vs-cycling-which-burns-more-calories/

ninjasurfer1

I also found the following about road versus treadmill running:


Physically, there may be some slight differences between how your body expends energy running on a track versus a treadmill.


The treadmill belt offers some help by pulling your feet back underneath your body, so you are potentially exerting less energy to move your feet and legs than if you were not on a treadmill.

When you run indoors on a treadmill, you do not have to overcome wind resistance. The lack of wind means you'll spend less energy running four miles on a treadmill than you will running four miles outdoors. However, it may depend on how fast you are running. For the average person, running 5 - 9 miles per hour (mph) will result in little difference. Some studies say outdoor running expends up to 5 percent more calories; if you run faster than 9 mph, running outdoors could utilize up to 10 percent more calories because you are working harder against wind resistance. Other studies say there's no difference. One study demonstrated the way to balance energy use between indoor and outdoor running is to set the treadmill at an incline (or grade) of 1 percent.

Running indoors maintains or offers stable elements. Runners not only avoid wind, but also other potential natural elements, such as cold air, rain, or sand (if you run on a beach), which demand extra energy.

Running on a treadmill versus pavement (the composition of the track surface you run on is unclear) provides a softer surface, making it a little easier for your joints. People with knee pain or soreness might opt for a treadmill versus the road outside for this reason.

colman1212

N00b2fitness wrote: »

Funny - I find running outside (non treadmill) much easier too. I was surprised by the distance I could cover last time I did it.

If you have access to a rowing machine that would be something to consider too. in 20 or 30 minutes you could fit in 4 x 1000m interval rows with a couple of minutes rest in between. Should be enough to get your heart racing. If time is of the essence I'd recommend that, having started it in the last few weeks.

Otherwise then I'd do treadmill...

Any reason why you restrict your cardio to 1/2 times a week? I reckon doing the above on a rower after each weights workout wouldn't do any harm at all. I could be wrong tho - so I'm open to correction on that.

Generally only have time to do cardio twice a week, I keep my weight sessions separate from cardio. Although I have learned recently that it prob better to do the cardio after weights. So I do say 3-4 weight sessions a week and then on the days I do cardio I do about 20 mins core work before hand.




Thanks for all the help guys.