6 ms·

Is there a cycling equivalent Couch to 5k app? Given the impact running has on the joints, it would be great to do a program like this with a bike instead. (O

• 8ytecoder 4y ago
  Get a bike trainer - wheel-on trainers are cheaper and use Zwift. If you keep with it you can upgrade later to something nicer or ride your bike outside.
  • anotherboffin 4y ago
    Absolutely. Zwift keeps it quite interactive but I’ve heard good things about the Wahoo platform as well. Lots of structured training plans for beginners and more experienced riders alike.
• dspillett 4y ago
  The “impact on the joints” is massively overstated. Run with good gait & such (there are many good instructional videos on this, but some key points are don't over-stride thinking it'll make you go faster, try not to heal strike, don't push too hard or too fast, make sure you get rest between fast or long sessions, and wear decent shoes) and your knees/ankles/other will be just fine. There is as much evidence for running helping the joins in later life (assume you start earlier) as there is for the opposite. This is, of course, unless you have a pre-existing issue. If you have a pre-existing issue running will find it and make it worse, especially as you push out the distance. On distance, according to some studies 5K happens to be a good point for optimising the long term health benefits – after that you see diminishing returns so don't feel pressured to go further unless you find you enjoy it. And if you can, try get out and run in the countryside where it is pretty and you are breathing in less car fumes and similar.
  • MagicMoonlight 4y ago
    If you haven’t run at all your entire life then your joints don’t have the required strength. Obviously that’s not the case for you so you wouldn’t know.
    • dspillett 4y ago
      > If you haven’t run at all your entire life … Obviously that’s not the case for you Care to make any more assumptions? I practically hadn't run until ~35 when I was significantly overweight, [checks chart] actually officially obese, currently 44 & a bit overweight¹² and running regularly (including doing the occasional ultra event). I know many people with a not dissimilar history and away from anecdata there is plenty of evidence that running is beneficial more than it is detrimental in the general population⁰. As I said prior: “There is as much evidence for running helping the joins in later life (assume you start earlier) as there is for the opposite.”. I know I know, [citation needed], but as the claim for running being bad for the joins generally was made first: I'll show you my citations if you show me yours. Or just keep downvoting and/or stating I know nothing if that makes you feel more correct. -- [0] of course with the caveats of “if you don't push to hard/fast too quickly” (that can cause damage, though the same can be said for any other exercise) and “if you don't have pre-existing medical issues” (the most dangerous ones here being cardio-vascular related, not joints) [1] the excess is definitely fat, not muscle mass, unfortunately! [2] spent a few years well within a range where I should be, but I have to concentrate to manage excess food intake³ and the last few years have had my mind on other things a lot [3] old habits die hard
• igouy 4y ago
  > Given the impact running has on the joints Now try to find some evidence that the impact is damaging rather than a stimulus.
  • FartyMcFarter 4y ago
    It's both depending on context (including age, body type, level of fitness etc). If you build gradually towards running fast and for long distances, it's a stimulus. If you run significantly beyond your current ability, it does damage.
    • igouy 4y ago
      Opinion not evidence :-) Being sedentary causes damage, so the question is do runners suffer more damage.
      • FartyMcFarter 4y ago
        I think you missed my point. I wasn't comparing running to being sedentary. I was comparing running sensibly to running recklessly (as some beginners do). This isn't exclusive to running either. It can happen with any physical activity.
        • igouy 4y ago
          Opinion not evidence :-)
• mclouts91 4y ago
  You need to realise that weight bearing exercises (this means running, walking etc) are good for bone health. Low impact activities like cycling don’t give your bones the right stimulus to stay strong. And as the other commenter has said, the impact damage is probably in the minds of people who say that running does then damage but in reality it doesn’t do damage, it is actually a benefit to bones and joints.
  • FartyMcFarter 4y ago
    It's a benefit if you do it properly and don't overdo it. The poison is in the dose and intensity.
    • igouy 4y ago
      "Often when trying to get into exercise, we can overdo it, feel defeated and give up when we're just getting started. Couch to 5K works because it starts with a mix of running and walking to gradually build up your fitness and stamina." "Get running with Couch to 5K" website
    • igouy 4y ago
      What on the "Get running with Couch to 5K" website suggests to you not doing it properly or overdoing it ? Seems like you are scaremongering.