1 hour casual cycling or 1 hour brisk walking?

[audi321]

Hi all. I need to start doing some exercise and I thought I would start somewhere, or it'll never happen.

I have an hour to kill during the day, so which would be better - Brisk walking or casual cycling? I know there's many variables (freewheeling, hills, etc), but all things even, which would do me the most good?

Apparently, I walk at a fast pace anyway, so I guess in an hour I could cover 5 miles? Cycling, I guess 15?

What do you chaps think?

[WinstonWolf]

Cycling is kinder on the knees, the problem is you'll get into it and before you know it you'll spend a fortune on kit and enter your first sportive

[mybrainhurts]

I'll go for one hour sitting in a chair with copious amounts of beer. Thank you...

[toon10]

I'm not really answering your question here but have you thought about the couch to 5k from the NHS? It's a series of pod casts (or a free iPhone app which links to the podcasts). It involves going for a run (or jogging as it used to be called). I have a lovely route near my house and the app starts you off from a complete novice with walking and a bit of jogging in between right up to being able to run solidly. I'm on week 5 and starting to really enjoy it. You don't need to be fit to start it, you get real progress and it only takes about 30 minutes out of your day 3 times per week.

[Mr Will]

The one you enjoy the most

[S10GTA]

Brisk walk in my opinion. The getting ready for a bike ride will eat into your time.

[LordGrover]

Mr Will said:

The one you enjoy the most

Why limit to one only anyway? When it's sunny and calm get on the bike, if it's windy go for a walk.
Both better than mooching around wondering which is best.

[mybrainhurts]

LordGrover said:

Mr Will said:

The one you enjoy the most more.

Why limit to one only anyway? When it's sunny and calm get on the bike, if it's windy go for a walk.
Both better than mooching around wondering which is best better.

It's a pleasure, no thanks required.

Now, where's that comfy chair...?

[Foliage]

Cycling when its dry, walking when its wet.

As for which is better for you, I don't think it really matters doing either is better than doing nothing.

[LordGrover]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Always tere to elp te ard of tinking.
Tank you. ow remiss of me.

[audikentman]

Cycling, then get on Strava, you will soon be doing a 1 hour sufferfest.

[J4CKO]

audikentman said:

Cycling, then get on Strava, you will soon be doing a 1 hour sufferfest.

Strava seems the way to ruin any ride to me.

[LordGrover]

WinstonWolf said:

Cycling is kinder on the knees, the problem is you'll get into it and before you know it you'll spend a fortune on kit and enter your first sportive

Sorry, rubbish. While I'll concede running may be, walking is not harmful to your knees or any other joint.
Cycling, especially the lycra clad racing type is bad for your back and posture.

[wiggy001]

I'd say the one you will do the most going forward.

For me, I much prefer cycling. But working away a lot and having a family, I never find the time to get the bike out, check it over, sort my stuff out, go for a ride for an hour, come back, clean the bike, get showered etc etc.

So recently I've started chucking on a pair of shorts and trainers and going for a run, which I can do at the drop of a hat wherever I am.

Something is better than nothing so do what you enjoy.

[BoRED S2upid]

Both and record them both on strava you will be amazed how far you have gone in a year and how many calories you have burnt.

[BoRED S2upid]

Both and record them both on strava you will be amazed how far you have gone in a year and how many calories you have burnt.

[WinstonWolf]

LordGrover said:

WinstonWolf said:

Cycling is kinder on the knees, the problem is you'll get into it and before you know it you'll spend a fortune on kit and enter your first sportive

Sorry, rubbish. While I'll concede running may be, walking is not harmful to your knees or any other joint.
Cycling, especially the lycra clad racing type is bad for your back and posture.

Thanks to a 'proper' knee injury I can only walk about two miles before I'm in a lot of pain. Cycled 99.5 miles on Sunday (.bloody 5!) with no problems at all. When you're cycling you're not weight bearing which is why it's easier on knackered knees. If I stop cycling I start to fall to bits.. It also helps *my* back thanks to the extra core strength I've developed over the years. I've been professionally fitted so my on bike posture is very good.

I probably should have pointed out just how kaput my knee is

[popeyewhite]

Walking.

[DukeDickson]

WinstonWolf said:

LordGrover said:

WinstonWolf said:

Cycling is kinder on the knees, the problem is you'll get into it and before you know it you'll spend a fortune on kit and enter your first sportive

Sorry, rubbish. While I'll concede running may be, walking is not harmful to your knees or any other joint.
Cycling, especially the lycra clad racing type is bad for your back and posture.

Thanks to a 'proper' knee injury I can only walk about two miles before I'm in a lot of pain. Cycled 99.5 miles on Sunday (.bloody 5!) with no problems at all. When you're cycling you're not weight bearing which is why it's easier on knackered knees. If I stop cycling I start to fall to bits.. It also helps *my* back thanks to the extra core strength I've developed over the years. I've been professionally fitted so my on bike posture is very good.

I probably should have pointed out just how kaput my knee is

Yet I have a mildly buggered knee and the other is somewhat less good and can't manage much more than 15 miles on a bike (with painkillers just before and after), yet walking does way more to my ankles than knees.


Still prefer the bike though .

[Super Slo Mo]

audi321 said:

Hi all. I need to start doing some exercise and I thought I would start somewhere, or it'll never happen.

I have an hour to kill during the day, so which would be better - Brisk walking or casual cycling? I know there's many variables (freewheeling, hills, etc), but all things even, which would do me the most good?

Apparently, I walk at a fast pace anyway, so I guess in an hour I could cover 5 miles? Cycling, I guess 15?

What do you chaps think?

5 miles in a hour walking? Not unless you run some of it or are 6'6" with long legs.
Anyway, in terms of calorie burn, cycling and walking are quite similar although I've seen better weight loss results from walking but that's because I do more of it. Thursday through Sunday last week I covered around 60 miles, all due to work.
Get the Mapmywalk app, it's quite handy for plotting your walks and progress.
Good trainers are a must, break them in steadily too.