Is riding a bike equal walking in exercise?

Riding a bicycle and walking are two different activities with similar characteristics, but not way too similar. These two activities do not give the same exercising results. Let’s consider the facts first.

Walking is part of every day life; it is inevitable movement of the human body. People walk every day, every moment to be exact; go to the kitchen; go to the store; visit a friend; walk through the park; and etc. We can say for certain that this is the activity that makes us look human. The exercise characteristic of walking is always a 100%. This characteristic is mutual to both, walking and cycling. The difference in walking is that many people often forget, if not always, that walking gives a good healthy exercise of the body. While the body is in the simple movement of walking, calories are burned; blood flows easily to the muscles; The legs are functioning as they are meant to do; stamina is build gradually into the body; and etc.

Probably the best benefit that you can get out of walking is going on a hiking trip in the mountains. That is the ultimate gift that the body can receive. Walking is good for body health and stamina, but hiking increases the healthy level 5 times more than the usual walking. A hiking trip in the mountains gets you away from everyday civilization; clean air, green nature, walking uphill toughens the body and mind.

Negative points must not be given to bicycle at all. It is has its benefits as walking. Bicycle riding has more exiting element attached to it. You can cover far more ground while riding a bicycle then waking, see more landscapes and etc. The benefit that the body receives from riding a bicycle is 100% positive; blood circulation; heart rate; muscle strengthening; and you name it. Cycling is the most popular fitness activity in the world.

There are, however, differences among these activities. They both ‘charge the same price’ for the benefits they give. After couple of hours of walking or riding a bicycle, the body gets exhausted and joints and ankles start to transmit pain. This ‘price ‘ is different in walking and cycling.

The first notable similarity of both activities is the pain in ankles and knees. This is quite natural, because since the body is in standing position all the time, and the legs do most of the work; blood is concentrated more in the legs then in the upper body. That’s why most doctors and fitness trainers recommend after a long walk or cycling to lie down and lean the legs upright on the wall. That way gradually the blood flow will return to the upper body.

No mater what activity you have chosen, it is always going to be the right choice.

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