Better running or cycling? The pros and cons of each discipline

Is running or cycling better? In this article we answer this question.

Many novice athletes or people who are starting the year with the aim of improving their physical condition wonder which is the best sporting activity for them. ideal sporting activity for their characteristics and needs.

Biking or running: which is better for me?

It has been more than proven that physical exercise is good for physical and mental health. The burning question is, rather, which sport is best suited to our needs.

Once we have discarded those sports that require a logistical deployment and a greater economic investment (skiing, paddle tennis), collective sports (basketball, soccer), which require other partners to get together to practice them, or sports of high physical demand (tennis), the truth is that the range of possibilities for the novice athlete is quite reduced. Thus, one of the most recurring questions when starting a routine sporting activity is: "Is it better for me to ride a bike? Is it better for me to cycle or run?

Before giving you my point of view, we must analyze the basic pros and cons of each of these two activities, so that you understand my opinion.

RunningBikeCaloric expenditureHigherLowerJoint injuriesMore riskLess riskTechnique requiredMore technique neededLess technique needed

Although there are more factors, the most important are the ones described in this table, and they are what I recommend that you carefully evaluate before making a decision.

But then: where do we stand? Now comes the answer to this tedious question. Let's take a closer look at the specifics of each sport to find out the advantages and disadvantages of each one.

Is it better to go running or cycling?

It depends. It depends on your goal, your joint and Muscle health, your age, the intensity of the exercise, and a long etcetera. There is no one-size-fits-all answer. What you should do is analyze your personal goals and your previous preparation in order to be aware of which modality is most beneficial to you. For this undertaking, I invite you to read on.

Personal goals: cycling or running? running?

If what we want to be a great runner we can't achieve it using the bicycle. If what we want is to get in shape, the best thing to do is to go running, unless we are in pain or our health situation does not allow it. In any of these cases, we must be cautious and, if we see that the level of demand of running is too high, we can resort to another sport, such as cycling, which is a less aggressive discipline. less aggressive and whose practice is, in principle, more adaptable to the physical condition of each person.

On the other hand, if we suffer from joint pain or are of advanced age, what I would recommend is to use the bicycle until the ligaments, tendons and muscles adapt to the pace of exercise. Once this is achieved, we should try a gentle run and increase the intensity depending on how comfortable we feel. depending on how comfortable we feel. In any case, we must adapt the intensity of the exercise to our physical possibilities: you do not want to make great efforts if you are not prepared because you can get injured.

But of course, if you choose to ride a bike, be careful: if you choose cycling, be careful and protect your head, elbows, knees and wrists and protect your head, elbows, knees and wrists, and be very careful not to fall. And, for the love of God, try not to ride routes where there is a chance that you could be hit by a car. Safety first.

As we have said, there are several factors that could swing us to one side or the other, you always have to be consistent and have a minimum of logic. Common sense, in these cases, is what should determine the decision. If something generates discomfort or pain, you should avoid doing it until it stops hurting, especially when the sensation of pain comes from the joints. joints or the bones. 

Muscle pain can be confused with D.O.M.S. D.O.M.S. (commonly called stiffness), especially in novice athletes or sedentary people, therefore we recommend that in the event of temporary muscle pain, physical activity should not be changed or reduced. If this pain is persistent, the best option would be to switch to another activity that does not generate pain and consult the relevant specialist to rule out any possible microlesion or pathology.

Possible problems generated by running

Now we are going to name the different situations that can warn us of a possible injury to ankles, knees or hips if you decide to do running instead of cycling. Remember that running is more risky for your body than cycling, so it is worth knowing some of the dangers of running to decide whether we are prepared to face it or not.

Incorrect shoes or shoes without shock absorption

You should check that your shoes are suitable for the running activity, since poor footwear can lead to serious injuries.

Terrain without shock absorption

Running on this type of ground causes injuries to the fibrocartilage (meniscus). The best ground to run on is solid ground, because it absorbs a large part of the joint impact when walking on it. As far as possible, hard ground such as asphalt or hardwood floors should be avoided.

Joint stabilization problems

Running can cause problems in the stabilization of the body due to joint or muscular problems in the background. You may notice that you do not have much balance, for example, when trying to rest on one leg. The possible solution to this problem is to perform proprioception exercises, which help your muscles and joints to strengthen and maintain your body's balance on their own.

Muscle decompensation

You may notice it if the opposing muscles grow asymmetrically and aesthetic decompensations occur. In this case, the best solution would be to carry out a program of muscle toning and a stretching program to compensate. Where there are usually problems is in the psoaswhich connects the lower and upper body.