On the whole, most people are aware, pleased or not, that exercise is good for our health.
Doing it of course, not just thinking about it, something I have been guilty of at times, finding all sorts of justifications for my decision to stay at home with another cup of tea.
Now, recently I was given a bicycle, introduced to some more lovely walks, then for Christmas, a couple of excellent hiking poles. What was I to do??
A no brainy really, but first I had to settle down to my 2ndfavourite home occupation.
The first thing I discovered is that cycling for an hour burns approximately 600 calories, as opposed to 300 calories for a good hour-long walk. Cycling also seems to have a slight appetite suppressant effect, not evident after walking.
The University of South Australia found that cycling also has a beneficial effect on the poor lower body circulation often suffered by diabetes patients. Lowering blood pressure in the feet, not apparent after walking, also lowering glucose levels by as much as 20%.
But both activities have been shown to lift your mood and improve your general health and well-being. Of course, walking requires constant energy input and when walking at a steady rate, it is easier to retain the consistent cardiovascular effort needed.
Though the nature of cycling is better for leg muscles than walking, walking is a weight bearing exercise, biking is not.
Generally, weight bearing exercises burn more calories per session, but non-weight bearing exercise has less impact on joints. The consensus here is that for calorie burn and weight loss, walking may be better, but for those with hip, knee or other joint problems, cycling may prove a better option.
A few extra notes –
Brisk walking can improve health with just 30 minutes daily.
Cycling at a leisurely pace burns calories at the same rate as very quick walking.
It was mentioned that 3 hours of either per week may reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke by as much as a half. Carrying shopping on your bicycle means you need to use more energy to move on it, another plus.
Walking has huge benefits psychologically as well as physically. For me, I am grateful I live in an area where I can do both, and more so that I have been given the tools to be able to choose what I do and when. I know that I will choose both at different times.
As well as the local walks, we have many kilometres of cycling tracks on our well known Rail Trails. (For those who are unaware of these, they are places where train tracks were in the past and which are now being utilized for locals and tourist alike to enjoy).