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Exercise Bike Or Walking???

  • 04-10-2008 11:16pm
    #1
    Cadyboo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,302 ✭✭✭


    Someone told me the other day, that you would lose more weight by cycling than by walking. Now I know you are obviously moving your legs quicker on the bike, but by walking wouldnt you be using all your body, compared to just your legs on the bike?
    Any thoughts on this?


Comments

  • #2
    Khannie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,485 ✭✭✭✭Khannie


    Depends on how fast you do each one really. Cycling doesn't magically burn more calories for less effort. If your effort is the same, your calories burned will be the same.

    I found an online calculator. For 140lb (10st) person:
    Bicycling: 472 calories in 1 hr (20 km at 20 km/h)
    Walking: 435 calories in 1 hr (7.5 km at 7.5 km/h)

    20K is a fair distance to cover on the bike in 1 hour, and the 7.5 Km/h would be a tough speed to maintain while walking. As you can see though, they're about equal, and you're gonna be fairly sweaty after both. Personally, I'd rather walk. Whatever you're more likely to actually do is what's most important IMO.


  • #3
    rubadub
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,386 ✭✭✭✭rubadub


    Good advice above. Even 2 people walking at the same pace could burn differing amounts. Ever see people out walking swinging their arms? that is to use more energy. Also a person with more weight will burn more per mile, you are in effect weightlifting.

    I have a mountain bike and a normal bike, I use the mountain bike for exercise, it is harder to cycle 1 mile on it due to it being inefficient with the big tyres, suspension & weight. Also when cycling up hills I incorporate my upper body, actively pulling the bars, so it is not just a leg exercise (if you choose). If you go to a cycling forum you might get conflicting advice, since many are interested in the best efficiency, i.e. how to burn fewest calories per mile, nearly all will recommend a racer or hybrid over a mountain bike because of this too.

    All these calorie figures you see quoted are estimates.

    If you are looking for the most time efficient exercise for burning fat and were to do 3x1hr sessions a week I would recommend weights/resistance training.


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