Whether you use the exercise bike or walk, it is important for you to be active. These exercises help you maintain a healthy weight and improve your cardiovascular health. Each exercise has distinct advantages and disadvantages. Whichever you choose, you should pick an exercise that you enjoy so that you will stay motivated.
Benefits
The primary benefit of both activities is the cardiovascular workout. These exercises can help raise your heartbeat while burning calories. Cardio workouts are the best form of exercise for weight loss and significant calorie burn. Both exercises engage the large muscles of your lower body, causing your body to burn fat when sugar stores in the muscles are depleted.
Calorie Burn
The difference between using an exercise bike and walking lies in the calorie burn. When you exercise with moderate effort on a stationary bike, a 150-pound person will burn about 462 calories an hour, according to SparkPeople.com. If you engage in the same amount of exercise time while walking, you will burn only 264 calories. If your lifestyle is hectic, the difference is significant. When you bike, you are getting the maximum amount of calorie burn for your time.
Impact
Another key difference involves the impact each exercise has on your body. When you walk, you are engaging in a weight-bearing activity. According to the University of Arizona, load-bearing activities build stronger bones, which can help lower your risk of developing osteoporosis, a disease that causes your bones to become thinner and less dense. When you use an exercise bike, you are not placing weight on your legs. You certainly are using your muscles, but you are not physically supporting your weight. While this may not help you prevent osteoporosis, it can protect your knees when you use a recumbent exercise bike.
Walking
One disadvantage of walking is climate. If you live in an area with variable weather, it may be difficult for you to get out and walk as often as you should. Walking in theory does not cost you anything, but you may want to invest in good quality outdoor gear to increase your comfort level. You will also have to purchase new walking shoes on occasion. The advantage of walking is spending time outdoors. You can walk trails with scenic views or tour downtown. You have many opportunities to add variety to your workout.
Exercise Bike
While climate is a disadvantage for walking, it's not a factor for the exercise bike. No matter what the weather is outside, you can still exercise. The cost is your initial investment in equipment. After that, it is virtually free. The disadvantage, however, is the monotony. Without variety, you may find biking boring, especially if it is in the same place every day. To combat boredom, you can position your exercise bike in front of the TV so you can catch up on your favorite soaps or other TV shows while working out.
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