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A lot of people debate on the use of treadmill vs stationary bike as cardio equipment. As an overview, doing cardio exercises is a simple way to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. It helps keep the physical body strong, contributes to overall well-being, and aids in increasing endorphins, which are hormones responsible for deterring pain and makes you feel good.
That being said, you need to have the right piece of equipment. Here, we will list the advantages of treadmills and station bikes to help people have a better choice.
The choice on which gym equipment to use depends on your workout goals. Are you training for weight loss and endurance? Do you want to get into muscle building? Do you have weak joint or recently experienced knee injury?
A lot of people go to the gym to burn fats and lose weight. For this goal, the treadmill is better gym equipment than a stationary bike. In fact, in only an hour of briskly walking on the treadmill, you can burn an approximate amount of 565 calories.
That number increases from 700 to 800 calories when you choose to run or walk in an inclined pavement. When you run in one hour, you can lose up to 800 to 1000 calories.
Working out on a treadmill allows you to burn more calories. The fact that your entire body needs to propel forward requires more energy. Hence, burning more calories.
Many gym instructors recommend a mixed up paced in treadmill exercises. For example, you should allot time for walking, running, and going up on a hill. It has been said that treadmill exercises at different speeds increase calorie burn by up to 20% more than running at a steady pace.
When it comes to muscle building, the stationary bike helps you achieve better, faster results. Each time you make a pedaling motion, you utilize various leg muscles such as quads, glutes, hip flexors, calves, and shins.
When you push down the pedals, your quads are used, and when you up the gears, you need more force against the bike resistance. Through such, it increases your muscle strength and size.
The American Council on Exercise advises to set up resistance at a level that keeps you from pedaling faster than 60 revolutions per minute. This level makes your quads and hamstrings work harder to keep you moving forward. This recommendation helps you achieve your goals with better results.
One popular kind of high-intensity workout is spin class. Interval exercise in a spin class can burn fat up to 36% quicker and enhance the cardiovascular capacity by up to 13% compared to running steadily on a treadmill. Biking for one hour burns 250 to 700 calories and improves lung and heart capacity, as well as tones muscles.
When it comes to low-impact workouts to prevent joint pains and injuries, the stationary bike is the more appropriate equipment. While running places tension on the hips, knees, ankle joints, and spine, biking allows you to exercise without putting pressure on the said areas.
Treadmill and station bikes are two of the most popular gym equipment intended for aerobic exercises. There is no denying that the benefits you get from them are vital in keeping the entire body active.
The National Health Service in England recommends a moderate amount of aerobic exercise for a minimum of 150 minutes per week. The treadmill is convenient equipment that allows you to workout anytime you want in any weather condition. Among the benefits of a treadmill are:
This means that a treadmill is easy to use. It has a flat surface that is convenient and safe for all types of runners. You don’t really have to worry about the trails, rocks, and curbs experienced when running outdoors. In just a few touches of the buttons, you set the pace and terrain type.
The treadmill has an integrated monitor that shows essential details on your progress including the distance you have covered, calories burned, your heart rate, and time spent on each pace or terrain.
The treadmill allows you to work out at the recommended amount of time whenever you want. Aside from being easy to use, it is readily available in the comforts of your home or gym. Whether you exercise to lose weight or improve endurance, it is a practical piece of equipment.
Pedaling a stationary bike has a lot of health benefits that the treadmill can’t provide. Consider using a bike when you want to achieve these goals:
Probably the most popular benefit of stationary bikes, regular cyclists have toned legs. Pedaling requires your calves, quads, and glutes to propel against the resistance level.
Some bodybuilders even use the handlebar while working out on the bike. The pushing and pulling movements also strengthen this muscle group.
While running increases the release of endorphin, cycling increases the dopamine level. This hormone is known for enhancing energy level by about 20% and reduces fatigue by about 65%.
Rather than cycling outdoors, the stationary bike allows you to workout indoors. You can also do it whenever you can. You can pedal while you watch the news or spending time with your loved ones.
While there is an on-going debate on treadmill vs stationary bikes, the only one who can decide about using either of the two is you. The treadmill is better at achieving certain workout goals such as weight loss, increased endurance, and keeping on the right track. Meanwhile, the stationary bike is more effective at building and toning muscles, friendlier to the joints, and aids in boosting energy levels.
Overall, each piece of equipment can help you achieve certain workout goals. Regardless of this statement, it would be more effective when you use a variety of equipment to train various muscle groups and maintain your overall physical capability and wellbeing.