Helen Hart, Negosentro | When it comes to working out, different types of exercises work different muscles. These are carried out with varying intensities and burn specific amount of calories.
Two of the most common exercises that are suggested for weight loss are cycling and running because they torch some good calories.
It depends on exactly what you’re trying to get out of your workouts. Both cycling and running have their own health benefits.
Let’s find out what Cycling offers
- Easy on the joints
For starters, cycling is easy on the joints. In fact, according to a study conducted by scientists at the Appalachian State University in North Carolina, the topic of muscle damage, soreness, and inflammation were examined in cyclists and runners.
To conduct this study, 22 trained cyclists and 13 long-distance runners were monitored during a 12-week long period.
The scientists compared cyclists and runners side-by-side. During the course, their workload and duration were seen going up, however at the same time, the muscles of the runners experienced more wear and tear than those of cyclists.
Cycling was certainly found easier on muscles as compared to running and sprinting. It doesn’t matter if you used a road bike or mountain bike.
- Weight loss
Cycling is a great means to keep your weight under check.
Obese teenagers who are fond of junk food, new mothers who are looking to shift post baby weight or even people who don’t have control on their eating habits, all can benefit from Cycling.
Depending on your intensity and weight, you can burn anywhere between 400 to 1,000 calories an hour while cycling.
This goes to show that hopping on your bicycle and pedaling away regularly can help you feel lighter in the long run.
Let’s not forget that exercise is only a part of weight loss equation.
Nature of diet, lifestyle, physical health are some of the other factors that have a bearing on your weight.
- Muscle-builder
Cycling is also a muscle-building exercise. Small and lighter sessions don’t require much intensity; however if you’re aiming at building calf and thigh muscles, then you need to burn out more.
Not just it strengthens your calves but hamstrings and gluteus too.
Cycling also makes your shoulders and arms strong besides contributing to cardiovascular health and decreasing stress levels.
How do we benefit from Running
- Heart health
According to a study conducted by American College of Cardiology, 5 to 10 minutes of running every day at slower speeds can drastically reduce the chances of cardiovascular diseases.
Your heart is a muscular organ. Just like you muscle other parts of your body, running leads to pumping blood to the heart. As a result, it gets stronger with each running session.
For a healthy heart, make sure you include some light running in your daily schedule.
But make sure you check with your doctor first.
- Calorie burner
Just like cycling, running involves rigorous action too, which in turns burn good amount of calories.
Think of it this way. Your body is like a car, the more you drive, the more it runs out of fuel or (calories).
More intense sessions of running means added mobility & stamina.
According to Fitness Magazine, on an average, a 150-pound person burns around 12.2 calories a minute running at 10-minute mile/pace.
Your weight loss plans, trimmers and waist trainers work wonders if accompanied by running and jogging. When included and practised religiously in day to day regime, running yields sure shot fruits.
People weighing more on scale can start with careful and small sessions with lighter intensity.
- You can do it anywhere
Another added benefit of running is that you can do it anywhere. You don’t necessarily have to have a treadmill or buy a gym membership.
Just lace up your sprinting shoes and get down to the street or hit the running track in nearby park.
While each exercise has its own unique benefits, both cycling and running are great options if you want to boost your mood and relieve stress.
When you exercise, your body releases chemicals called endorphins. These endorphins trigger a “feel good” response in your body which in turn gives your mood a positive boost.
The Sustainability Factor
One of the best ways to hold yourself accountable and motivated is to include others in your exercise endeavors.
This is not only applicable for cycling and running but every exercise that you intend to carry out for long.
When you workout with a friend or a family member, you’re more likely to stick to it.
Cycling and running can be fun when you have a partner. You enjoy more and add more to your body.
Working out alone often keeps a person wary of his stop watch.
Whereas you won’t even realize how soon the session gets over when in a company. Trust me!
Contributed by – https://bboffroad.com.au/
