Treadmill vs Cycling: Which Is Better? Indian Arena
By: Indian Arena
Tags: Treadmill, Cycling, Lose Weight Naturally, Home Workout

When it comes to working out, people have a lot of different opinions on which is the best way to go. Some people swear by treadmill workouts, while others prefer cycling.

So, which is really better?

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each to find out!

Advantages of Treadmill

1. More comfortable

If you have a bad back, knees, hips or ankles, a running surface is probably going to be more comfortable for you than a seat on a stationary bicycle.

2. More variety

A treadmill is an open platform, so there’s usually more of a selection on what kind of running workouts you can do (interval training, hill training, etc.).

3. Preferred by elite athletes

Although both treadmill and cycling workouts are common among elite athletes, bicycling appears to be more popular among elite athletes.

This could be because you can hook up a treadmill to a video game console, while it’s hard to do that with a stationary bicycle.

4. Track your progress

Most treadmills come with a monitor that tracks your time, distance and calories burned.

5. Not as harsh on the knees

This might be marginal, but it is widely believed that running on a treadmill is less harsh on the joints than running outside.

6. Leave the machine behind

While this is obviously true for running, it can also be said for cycling. This means you won’t have to drive anywhere, and you can work out at your convenience.

Disadvantages of Treadmill

1. Not safe

Because the belt is running under your feet, there’s always the possibility of tripping or slipping on the treadmill if you need to get off quickly.

2. Less of a cardiovascular workout

Due to the fact that you’re not getting an elevated heart rate, workouts on a treadmill are typically not as good for burning fat.

3. Not as challenging

It’s easier to run on a treadmill than it is to ride a bike, making spinning your wheels much more challenging than running in place.

4. No scenery

If you’re using a treadmill, the only scenery you’ll be able to see is your own four walls. Riding a bicycle outside offers beautiful views and fresh air.

5. Not as motivating

Many runners like to be able to see the road and world around them while they workout, and if that isn’t possible on a treadmill it can take away from your motivation somewhat.

Thankfully, new technology has created televisions that go in front of treadmills, offering a way to view your favourite shows while you’re getting in shape.

Advantages of Cycling

Elevate your heart rate

Cycling is a great way to elevate your heart rate and burn fat.

2. Great for the cardiovascular system

Cycling is also a fantastic form of aerobic exercise, meaning it’s good for your heart and lungs.

3. A total body workout

Because cycling offers a variety of different exercises, you can work out every part of your body and still get a great cardiovascular workout.

4. Low impact

Because you’re on a saddle, cycling is easier on the joints than running is.

5. Great for people with injuries

If you have had an injury to your legs or hips, cycling may be a better way for you to exercise than running as it puts less pressure on those areas.

6. Leave the machine behind

If you’re a runner as well as a cyclist, this is obviously not going to apply to you, but for those who only cycle it’s true.

No need to go anywhere or hook up any equipment — just hop on your bicycle and off you go!

Since cycling can be more of a functional type of exercise, it’s also a good idea to invest in a bike that can easily be brought along with you on vacations or when visiting friends.

Disadvantages of Cycling

1. Harsh on the joints

Cycling is difficult on your knees and hips, especially if you’re going uphill. Running may not be easy for you, but it’s definitely less taxing on the joints than cycling is.

2. Less of a cardiovascular workout

You don’t get as elevated of a heart rate as you do when running which means that biking isn’t always as good for burning fat.

3. Harder to track your progress

Stationary bicycles and spin bikes will usually come with a monitor that tracks your time, distance and calories burned, but you won’t be able to do that if you’re outside or commuting on your bike.

What’s the best exercise to lose weight?

For those looking to lose weight, cycling and running are both great options.

Think of it this way: If you’re looking to lose weight, you need to burn more calories than you take in.

Since cycling requires no special equipment, you can simply ride your bike to burn calories. If you’re looking for resistance training, running is a good option as well since it includes strength training.

Both running and cycling are great total body workouts, so if you’re someone who is looking for a way to exercise every part of your body, you should try both and see which you like better.

If you only care about burning calories and losing weight, go for cycling since it’s a great form of aerobic exercise and targets your lower body.

If you’re looking to tone up and add strength training to your routine, running is a good option for you.

Conclusion — Which is Better?

As we can see from this article there are many advantages and disadvantages to both methods of exercise.

Treadmills would seem like the better option as it may be more effective at burning fat than cycling, but it is also much harder on the joints.

Cycling seems like the better option because it could be a more effective cardiovascular workout but it is also much harder on the joints.

It seems that both have their pros and cons, which is why it’s important to make a decision based on your personal goals, abilities and interests.