Cycling and Running

 

Cycling and running are amongst the most popular types of exercise that we see in the United States. When used together, cycling and running can have many benefits for both exercise runners and competitive long distance runners by increasing performance and reducing injury.

Cycling benefits for running

  • Works other muscles: cycling works front leg muscles that are not stressed in running. The added strength may increase knee stability without compromising running speed.
  • Keep constant speed: pedaling at a high gear will increase the force the leg will need to push the pedal. This will help increase your stride when you run.
  • Improves endurance: Three or four miles of biking is equivalent to a mile of running, so a cyclist keeps heart rate and lung function at high levels longer.
  • Rehabilitation: running is a much higher impact activity and will place greater load on the skeletal muscle. Switching between cycling and running will allow leg muscles and joints to recover.

              Running benefits for cycling

  • Burn more fat: because runners have to support their weight while they run, they are going to burn more calories per minute than if they were cycling.
  • Off season aerobic fitness: when the weather or season does not allow cycling, running will help you maintain your aerobic fitness.

Overall Benefits

Whether you are cycling, running, or both, exercising is an important part of your health. The health benefits of cycling and running are: increase in heart health, helps to reduce body fat, reduces risk for cardiovascular disease, prevent muscle and bone loss, relieve stress, improves coordination, etc.

click below for more information:

Health benefits of cycling   &  Health benefits of running