4 ms·

I love running and agree swimming is better for the joints, but the cardio workout I get from swimming is not comparable to what I get from running. While I'm a

I love running and agree swimming is better for the joints, but the cardio workout I get from swimming is not comparable to what I get from running. While I'm a very good swimmer, it's harder for me to reach the same level of exercise intensity in water versus on land. With the recent biking renaissance here in the US (which means easy availability of high-quality parts and more widely-adopted standards for equipment) and due to my consistently sustaining muscle injuries after 30 years of running, I've turned to biking to maintain cardio. Cycling is much easier on the joints and easier (for a runner like me) to achieve and maintain intensity, though it does have its hazards. (Accidents will happen.) Back on topic, I don't get the same kind of "high" biking as I do running. The biking high feels more adrenaline-based, laced as it is with anxiety, aggressiveness, and irritability. Running for me induces a more blissful harmonious state of consciousness than does cycling. YMMV

jeffreyrogers 11y ago
Somewhat related as you mentioned swimming and cycling, but both of those forms of exercise can lead to decreased bone density unless you are supplementing them with walking or running. Cyclists in particular often have lower back problems from sitting with their back in a weird position for long periods of time. That's not to say they aren't good forms of exercise, but it is also good to get some sort of impact based exercise as well (like running or walking). Of course too much running is probably bad for your joints and anecdotally I know a lot of older runners with chronic injuries, so it's tough to strike the right balance.
tmuir 11y ago
What kind of cycling do you do? I don't like riding near cars, so I do almost all of my riding in parks and forests. When I do ride around cars, I can never maintain a good pace. I'm constantly stopping for intersections. On the other hand, when I'm on a trail, The anxiety of contending with cars is gone, and I can keep a high pace for much longer. The best is mountain biking on single track. No cars, no sign of civilization, just wilderness.
- antod 11y ago
  I find mountain biking also is also a bit better for core and upper body fitness than road cycling as there is a lot more variation in movements eg obstacles, drops, grade changes etc. Apparently the extra bumpiness also help avoid the bone thinning effects of road cycling - but that is probably completely negated by full suspension bikes these days. Alas due to circumstances, I've swapped MTBing for cycle commuting. I can no longer say I enjoy riding bikes - but it still beats public transport or being stuck in traffic.

jeffreyrogers 11y ago

Somewhat related as you mentioned swimming and cycling, but both of those forms of exercise can lead to decreased bone density unless you are supplementing them with walking or running. Cyclists in particular often have lower back problems from sitting with their back in a weird position for long periods of time. That's not to say they aren't good forms of exercise, but it is also good to get some sort of impact based exercise as well (like running or walking). Of course too much running is probably bad for your joints and anecdotally I know a lot of older runners with chronic injuries, so it's tough to strike the right balance.

tmuir 11y ago

What kind of cycling do you do? I don't like riding near cars, so I do almost all of my riding in parks and forests. When I do ride around cars, I can never maintain a good pace. I'm constantly stopping for intersections. On the other hand, when I'm on a trail, The anxiety of contending with cars is gone, and I can keep a high pace for much longer. The best is mountain biking on single track. No cars, no sign of civilization, just wilderness.

antod 11y ago
I find mountain biking also is also a bit better for core and upper body fitness than road cycling as there is a lot more variation in movements eg obstacles, drops, grade changes etc. Apparently the extra bumpiness also help avoid the bone thinning effects of road cycling - but that is probably completely negated by full suspension bikes these days. Alas due to circumstances, I've swapped MTBing for cycle commuting. I can no longer say I enjoy riding bikes - but it still beats public transport or being stuck in traffic.