Ridiculously OT: Bike vs Walking

[El_Phil]

So here in the land of clogs, tulips and Grolsch I have a question. Which would improve my fitness more: Walking or cycling in each morning. It's a flat (obviously ) route about 20/25mins walk and 7mins by bike, same distance.

It is somewhat academic as I'm not a morning person so would never getup early enough too walk in and make it on time, but I am curious.


And a promotion! Over 50 posts, or the average amount of posts AT or Strategia make in a couple of days

[Atrocities]

"Get rid of the nickle plated sissy *** cycle and get yourself a Harley." - Tommy Lee Jones. (Sorta)

[El_Phil]

You pay for it, I'll ride it

[Renegade 13]

And you've all missed the best exercise there is! Snowboarding! Snowboarding exercises your entire body, burns ~500 calories per hour, and toughens you (from all those 50-60 km/h crashes on the hill...).

Then again, it isn't really a mode of transportation, but that's a side issue.

[Caduceus]

Over that short a distance, probably equally efficacious. Weight loss, improved cardiovascular performance and general exercise tolerance occur when an individual pushes their body for more than thirty minutes at a pace that just makes them able to carry a conversation.

My general advice to folks is to try the 20 minute challenge where they run/bike/swim for twenty minutes at a pace they can maintain three to five times per week for two weeks. After the two weeks (establishing the habit of working out), add two minutes per week.

It is critical to
a.) not push yourself too hard initially.
b.) find a buddy to keep you on-track with your exercise schedule.
c.) stop if you have pain.
d.) wear comfortable and appropriate clothing for the exercise (wearing multiple layers of clothes to help "sweat off the pounds" can be dangerous)
e.) hydrate hydrate hydrate before and after exercise - water and some sports drinks not sodas/coffee

Obviously if you have medical problems, consult your doctor first. He/she may recommend a stress test on a treadmill before initiating any new exercise regimen.

[Evil_Duckie]

It does make a difference where in this country you are (obviously a different part than where I am, as I haven't seen any clogs, tulips or Grolsch today...). If you're in Amsterdam, go by bike. The reason is that everybody else in traffic there fears the bikes. Whenever I'm there, bikes do kamikaze attacks on me, whether I'm walking or driving my car.

Apart from that, I'd say walk. Fresh air does you good and you simply get more of it if you're outside for a longer period of time.

[El_Phil]

I'm in and around Delft which has it's fair share of Grolsch bars and a giant clog in one of the main squares. I'll be fair though I haven't seen many tulips or windmills nearby.

The bikes do seem to have taken the Indian driver approach to life, if your fated to die then you will die so take any amount of crazy risks. Having said that I was cycling across a road, got halfway and saw a car slowing down so guessed he was stopping, carried on, got a prolonged horn burst and waved fist from the driver who then stopped at the lights. No idea what that was all about.

[Atrocities]

The check is in the mail.... I had to convert it from US dollars to that funny money you all use over there so its only worth about .02 cents.. I hope that is enough.

[El_Phil]

Ahh you must be talking about this monopoly money they call Euros. No sir, I normally use pound sterling a real currency that isn't given to you every time you pass go.

[tesco samoa]

in the long run... the walking is better for your over all health. Grab a music player and enjoy the walk. Think about what you gotta do today and stuff like that. It is recommended that you walk 10000 steps a day. I walk on average 13000 steps a day. P.S. when you clasify walking as exercise you really gotta look at your life style and change it or you will pay down the road.

Low impact exercies are a good way to get back in shape and reduce stress.