Cycling is Better than Running

I think cycling is better than running.

This is going to be a controversial article for some people. I want to start by saying that I don’t think running is bad, but in terms of injury and goals, I think cycling is better than running any day of the week. In this article, I’m going to break down why I think cycling is way better than running.

I invite you to comment below to reasonably discuss and debate this issue with me.

Does it Matter if Cycling is Better than Running?

You might be asking if it even matters that cycling is better than running or vice-versa.

I think that’s a valid question, but seeing as my blog focuses on beginner cycling tips, I feel like it’s a good argument to make. I know many people who enjoy both running and cycling, especially those who are into triathlons. However, some people will choose one or the other and dedicate themselves to it and not perform the other activity.

I’m writing this article to advocate why cycling is better than running and why you should choose it instead.

Running: Pros and Cons

Running has many pros and cons, which supports my belief that cycling is better than running in the end.

Running Pros

Running will improve your heart health and longevity. It gives your heart and lungs a healthy workout, which leads to a healthier cardiovascular system. Running increases good cholesterol, lowers levels of bad cholesterol, and improves your blood pressure, all of which help you maintain a healthier heart.

Running helps you establish a consistent workout routine. You’ll often put together a schedule and make sure you can get a run in at a certain time before doing other things, which creates a consistent activity. A consistent running routine will also lead to many other advantages, including weight loss and muscle development.

Running helps reduce stress and mental fatigue. It releases chemicals in your body, such as endorphins and serotonin, which give you that “runner’s high” feeling. This can stimulate the mood and make you feel a lot happier. Running is an activity that is easy to see results with and is often linked to helping prevent depression and stress.

Running Cons

Prolonged running can increase your risk of injuries. When you run every day or frequently, you don’t give your body enough time to heal from injuries, strains, and sprains. Overtraining isn’t just a risk of injuries to your body, but it can also impact your brain and mental well-being.

Many injuries can occur associated with running. Some of these common injuries include runner’s knee, ITB issues, plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, and Achilles tendonitis, which can create many problems in the future. Many of these injuries can lead to other issues if you continue to run and do not tend to them.

Running is hard work. It takes a lot of effort, especially when you’re running on uneven terrain and hills. You’ll typically feel every step you take, and it becomes really difficult to compete in the bigger running events.

Cycling: Pros and Cons

Cycling also has a few pros and cons that should be considered when deciding whether it is better than running.

Cycling Pros

Cycling has many health benefits. It is good for your heart, helps you lose weight, and can build muscles, especially in your lower body. Cycling also has a low impact on your joints.

Cycling is good for the environment. You can most often use your bike for travel and commuting which will effectively reduce your carbon footprint while also saving gas. Consider using your bike to get to and from work, go grocery shopping, and visit nearby friends and family.

Cycling helps you save money. As I mentioned before, you can save on gas and wear and tear on your vehicle. Public transportation fees are significantly higher each year, especially in rural areas where there aren’t many users. You can use your bike instead to save money while also promoting your own health and fitness.

Cycling Cons

Weather is one of the biggest cons of cycling. In the winter or during thunderstorms, it’s hard to bike outside and be safe. Unless you ride inside on a trainer or spin at the gym, it can impact your cycling routine and fitness regime if you can’t ride as much as you’d like to.

There are many safety concerns associated with cycling, especially for those who ride on roadways with motor vehicle traffic. The main cause of cyclist injuries and deaths is getting hit by motor vehicle drivers, and many of these incidents are deemed accidents where drivers simply don’t see the cyclist. If you ride on the road, you have to constantly be vigilant for your safety, which could make it less enjoyable.

Cycling can cause injuries and discomfort in the event of wrecking or not having a properly fitted bike. If you don’t have a bike that fits you, you could gain injuries from long-term cycling. Wrecks are also an issue, and some of them can lead to very serious injuries that cost a lot of money to fix through multiple surgeries.

Why Cycling is Better than Running!

Cycling has a lower impact on your joints than running does. The bike allows you to put less pressure on your knees, ankles, hips, and so on, whereas running can impact your joints with full pressure pending the surface, often leading to long-term injuries. This could lead to expensive surgeries and issues when you become an older adult.

Cycling is easier than running. With cycling, you will often forget that you’re exercising and feel like a kid again on your bike. But with running, you’re working every step, and it’s not exactly getting easier because you’re having to work harder to stay consistent and go faster.

Cycling has a greater variety of types than running does. With running, you have a machine, road, or trail. With cycling, you can road bike, gravel bike, mountain bike, cyclocross, and more which gives you different activities and achievements for each activity.

Final Thoughts

Not everyone will agree that cycling is better than running, but as a cyclist and someone who has tried running, I can say that I like cycling way more than I like running.

But I’m interested in hearing from you. In the comments below, tell me if you think cycling is better than running or vice versa and why you think one is better than the other.

If you’ve enjoyed reading this post, please consider Buying Me a Coffee for writing it and publishing it for free. Your support will keep me motivated to continue adding more posts to the blog.

Be sure to follow me X for daily cycling questions and more tips.