You have a number of choices when it comes to your outdoor exercise, especially in the beautiful summer months. But for a person who wants to enact a cardio workout of some sort, the choice usually boils down to two types of exercises: running or biking.
A new article highlights some of the benefits of each of these types of fitness in an attempt to help people make their decision. We’d like to elaborate on some of the points brought up and show you how you can make healthy living and injury prevention a cornerstone of your fitness no matter what activity you choose.
First, understand that biking versus running doesn’t have to be an either/or type of conflict. If you run a couple miles one day, you can come back in a couple days and ride your bike. In fact, this might actually end up being the healthiest thing you can do for your body. One should always be cautioned against conducting the same exact workout on a regular basis, because your body will reach a plateau and some parts will benefit while others do not. If you alternate between cycling, running, and even swimming and strength training, you should be able to stave off some of the injuries that might otherwise result.
It’s understandable that the report at the link above notes that cycling is actually a better activity when it comes to injury prevention. It all has to do with the toll that running can take on a person’s body. When you run, your feet are repeatedly coming down on the ground, and those constant impacts can pile up. You may find yourself becoming excessively sore or facing some type of muscle injury over the course of time.
In this manner, cycling does help you avoid some of the typical injuries that may otherwise result. Your feet aren’t striking the pavement the way they would while running. All you have to worry about is keeping movements fluid.
We want to note that this doesn’t mean injuries on the back of a bicycle don’t happen. They simply take a different form. While runners usually only have to worry about pulled muscles or impact-based injuries, cyclists have to worry about what can happen when they fall off their bikes or are hit by traffic. These situations can cause serious injuries, and while they’re not necessarily looked at as workout-based, they’re still something you need to take steps to prevent.
You should also keep in mind the fact that a running exercise will also promote resistance and in turn bone development in a way that cycling doesn’t. So although you may be more at risk for common injuries, your bones are growing stronger in the process.
Only you can decide the workout that’s right for you. In the meantime, follow the link above for more insights.
About the author
