Riding my bike doesn't feel like a chore. I love walking outside, but I do have a treadmill and stationary bike in my workout room. Where would I get more bang for my buck? Is one or the other better for me? Let's compare the two....it really doesn't matter to me I enjoy them both. Should I change it up? Let's investigate and research...
According to the June 21, 2007 Medical News Today, a paper that appeared in "The Journal of Physiology" noted that how you exercise determines what fuel source your body uses. In general, the lower the intensity and the longer the duration of exercise, the higher the percentage of fat you burn off. Your body uses up stored calories or fat tissue when it has the luxury of a slow and rather inefficient synthesis of energy. When you are not out of breath, or pushing so hard that your muscles ache, you burn more fat than when you sprint or do high intensity workouts. Carbohydrates are the body's "go-to" fuel for fast and furious exercise because they break down quickly and get energy to the muscles the fastest.
According to the MayoClinic.com, a 160-lb. person walking at a rate of 2 mph burns 183 calories per hour of exercise. The same person burns 277 calories per hour if she increases the pace to 3 1/2 mph. Bicycling for one hour at an easy pace, or less than 10 mph, burns about 292 calories in one hour. Swift walking and leisurely bike riding have similar caloric requirements. Riding a bicycle faster or riding it uphill increases the calories burned above those used for walking.
To get more out of your walking routine, it's more effective to simply pick up the pace. If you're in good shape, you might incorporate short bursts of jogging into your regular brisk walks. If you're less fit, you might alternate leisurely walking with periods of faster walking. For example, if you're walking outdoors, you could walk faster between certain mailboxes, trees or other landmarks.
We didn't have a speedometer and odometer unit for our bikes, but once we got serious about losing weight and getting in shape, this feature became a "must have." You simply cannot track your progress without knowing how far and how fast you're riding. If you riding a stationary bike many have these built in.
Bottom Line: It really doesn't matter which form of exercise you do....Just move, some may start slower it's okay five minutes today may be more than you did yesterday. YOU CAN DO IT!!
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