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Both cycling and walking are excellent, relatively convenient forms of aerobic exercise.
While both burn calories, bicycling typically burns more calories than walking when both are done on flat ground.
However, several additional factors for each exercise must be considered to make an accurate comparison.
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For example:
However, several factors can impact the number of calories burned during these activities.
Cycling is typically considered a moderate-intensity physical activity on a flat surface under 10 mph.
Increasing speed and adding incline can achieve vigorous-intensity activity levels.
Building strength in your slow-twitch muscle fibers typically correlates to increased endurance during cardio workouts.
The ideal workout regimen incorporates both aerobic and resistance training exercises to strengthen both fiber types.
Walking is considered alow-impact exercise.It offers impact by increasing the strain on the leg’s weight-bearing joints.
Even walking on level surfaces exposes your knee joints to forces of up to 1.5 times your body weight.
Distance Covered
The distance covered while walking or cycling depends on the speed you choose.
Typical walking speedvaries from person to person, which determines the distance they cover.
As a result, walking a set distance will burn more calories thancovering the same distance on a bike.
Treadmills allow year-round walking indoors.
They are typically easy to use and closely mimic outdoor walking.
Stationary bikes are relatively compact and quiet.
Which Muscles Are Involved?
Bicycling on a stationary bike and walking on a treadmill utilize similar leg muscles.
This includes the hamstrings, quadriceps, glutes, and calf (gastrocnemius) muscles.
Factors to Consider
People’s health conditions may factor into which aerobic activity is a better fit.
Some of the most common ones are detailed below.
People with osteoarthritis may find it difficult to walk for exercise due to the impacts associated with this activity.
Instead, the non-weight-bearing nature of biking may be more comfortable.
Low-Back Pain
Cycling either outdoors or on a stationary bike typically involves some degree of spinal flexion.
Recumbent bikes with a backrest may also be a good choice.
People with back pain may find walking more comfortable than biking.
Cycling may be preferable for those with osteoarthritis, which can cause pain when bearing weight.
Walking can benefit people with low back pain and help maintain bone density.
It is also generally among the cheapest and most convenient forms of exercise.
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