There’s no better time to take up a new fitness and exercise regime than, well, right now – so what’s stopping you?
Gyms can be expensive and team sports built around rigid training schedules that don’t work for all, but both running and cycling are easily accessible, flexible and (provided you have some of the kit) free. We all know the everyday benefits of exercise, but if you’re choosing between the two, which would work best for you? Read on to learn more!
Increased Stamina
Both running and cycling can increase an individual’s stamina through the building up of distance and pace over time, as the athlete builds their fitness levels. There are lots of methods that can be used to increase stamina, but both sports offer a great opportunity to progress steadily and improve cardiovascular fitness and endurance in turn.
The winner: Generally, cycling provides a better stamina boost than running as it’s lower impact and so can be sustained as an effort for longer time periods.
Stress Relief
Exercise of all types releases endorphins, naturally flooding the body with hormones that relax you and make you feel positive. The increased heart rate brought about by cardiovascular exercise pumps more blood to the brain, which helps manage negative feelings more comprehensively. Add some dopamine and serotonin to the mix, and your mood can be greatly enhanced.
The winner: Joy is subjective, so no matter what exercise you find you enjoy and helps clear your head, do more of it!
Muscle Building
Running creates muscle tone by engaging a wide range of muscles including (but not limited to) the core, calves and hamstrings. Cycling allows for muscle growth through the sustained resistance of repeat movement.
The winner: While both running and cycling work out different muscle groups, you are likely to see a faster and more sustained muscle gain from cycling as the endurance in pedalling impacts hard on quadriceps and glutes.
Opportunity for injury
Anyone can get injured at any time during exercise, but these risks must be managed by the individual completing the activity. Running is a weight-bearing exercise that does, over time, wear on your joints and can cause exaggeration to existing issues or injuries, even when the athlete is not aware of them. Cycling is less likely to cause a physical injury over time but the risk for such is falling from the bike or being injured by other traffic.
The winner: While running is more likely to cause wear and tear on the body, cycling can be relocated to quieter areas without traffic and with safety precautions taken to help guard the athlete.
