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Explore the benefits and risks of jogging versus cycling for weight loss. (Source: Freepik)
When it comes to weight loss, both jogging and cycling are effective cardiovascular exercises that can help you burn calories, shed fat, and improve your overall fitness. However, they each have distinct benefits, depending on your personal fitness level, joint health, and specific goals.
Here’s how they compare, according to Dr Surender Pal Singh, HOD Physiotherapy Department, CK Birla Hospital, Delhi.
Jogging is a high-impact exercise that typically leads to faster weight reduction than cycling, said Dr Singh. This is because jogging burns more calories per minute due to the intensity and the engagement of the whole body. For example, a person weighing 70 kg can burn approximately 400 calories in 30 minutes of jogging, while the same person may burn around 300 calories cycling at a moderate pace for the same amount of time.
However, Dr Singh said it can place significant strain on the joints, particularly the knees, hips, and ankles, which makes it unsuitable for individuals with conditions like osteoarthritis or ligament injuries.
As a weight-bearing exercise, jogging can strengthen bones and improve bone density, while also strengthing the heart, lungs, and cardiovascular system. (Source: Freepik)
Cycling, on the other hand, is a low-impact exercise that is gentler on the joints, making it an excellent option for people with joint issues or those recovering from injury. While cycling typically burns fewer calories than jogging per minute, it can still be highly effective for weight loss, particularly when done for longer durations or at higher intensities, Dr Singh said.
He added that it puts less stress on the joints, making it safer for people with joint pain or conditions like knee osteoarthritis, while also offung a wider range of motion, which can be beneficial for increasing joint flexibility and strengthening the muscles around the knees.
Both jogging and cycling can help you lose weight, but the better option depends on your individual health and fitness level, said Dr Singh.
For Faster Weight Loss: If you’re healthy, with no joint issues, jogging may help you burn more calories and lose weight faster.
For Joint-Friendly Weight Loss: If you have knee or joint problems, cycling is a safer, low-impact option that still burns calories and improves cardiovascular fitness.