By Alexander Rothstein
Copyright indiatimes
TIL Creatives
There are few cardio workouts which are not accused of being bland and boring. Cycling is not one of them. Known to make one do more than break a sweat, cycling raises the heart rate and pumps those calves alike. As per American College of Sports Medicine, cardio can be of two types, aerobic and anaerobic. Aerobics are less intense and more stable, which focus upon sustained stamina. Anaerobic are exercises which focus on a sudden intense burst of energy combined with muscle power, like sprinting, jumping rope, or mountain biking. Cycling is a strong cardio workoutCardio exercise stresses the cardiovascular system, which then adapts by improving how the body uses oxygen. Explained by Alexander Rothstein, ACSM-certified exercise physiologist at New York Institute of Technology.Cardio is known to improve breathing, making blood and air circulation smoother and balance, making the lungs and hearts more efficient in the process. Joe Scarrella, triathlon coach and trainer at Life Time Chanhassen in Minnesota, says cycling is a form of cardio only due to the constant effort being put in powering the pedals to rotate the tires, and hence is a boon for cardiovascular systems. Health benefits of cycling exerciseCycling has many benefits: it increases heart rate even at a slow pace, improves lung capacity, works large muscles like glutes and quadriceps, allows room to improve stamina and speed, burns 300 to 1,000 calories an hour depending on intensity, and is gentle on joints compared to running, according to the report by Bicycling.Live EventsCycling vs other cardio workoutsAt 330 calorie burns per hour–at a slow peddling rate for a 180-pound person—cycling scores ahead of walking, which has a 226 calories burn rate. Though cycling does need more gear and is a bit risky if done on roads, it definitely is the better option in terms of raw intensity. Both mainly work the lower body, but running also involves arms and core. Cycling is better if you have joint issues, while running is cheaper if you don’t want to buy equipment, as stated by Bicycling.Cycling vs swimming and Elliptical workoutsWhen comparing cycling and swimming: calorie burn is almost equal (around 800 calories per hour swimming freestyle vs about 818 calories per hour cycling at 14–16 mph for a 180-pound person). Swimming has no joint impact at all because the water supports the body, while cycling is low-impact but can sometimes strain the neck or back depending on bike type. However, when it comes to more comprehensive sessions, swimming nudges cycling as it is a more rounded workout, focusing on the whole body, from limbs to the core. Cycling though is mostly a waist down workout. Cycling and elliptical trainingWith a burn rate of 654 cal per hour, cycling at a moderate pace outweighs elliptical training, which only offers a 409 cal loss in an hour. But people with mobility issues, especially the spine, go elliptical training as it doesn’t require continued pressure on a bent spine and stresses upper and lower body in equal measure. Cycling is better if you like outdoor rides or community workouts, while elliptical is good for full-body movement in gyms, as per the report by Bicycling.Is cycling the best cardio for you?Experts say there is no single “best” cardio because all forms help improve heart health, lung strength, and weight loss. The calorie difference between activities is small, but stamina improvements depend on the type of training. For example, cycling improves cycling performance, not running. Cycling might be the best cardio for you if you can afford a bike or stationary bike, enjoy outdoor exercise, like exercising with a community, want a joint-friendly option, want a workout with long-term progress, and are willing to balance it with other activities for bone health like walking or weightlifting, as mentioned by Bicycling.FAQsQ1. Is cycling better than running for cardio?Cycling is easier on joints and still gives strong cardio, but running burns slightly more calories.Q2. Does cycling burn more calories than walking?Yes, cycling burns more calories per hour than walking, even at a slow pace.Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now!
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(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)Read More News oncycling cardio benefitsis cycling good exercisecycling vs running caloriescycling vs walking workoutcycling vs swimming cardiocycling vs elliptical machinebest cardio exerciselow impact cardio workoutscycling for weight losscycling for heart health(Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates….moreless
