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Walking, Running or Biking: Which Is Best For Weight Loss?

Published September 7, 2020
5 minute read
Walking, Running or Biking_ Which Is Best for Weight Loss
Published September 7, 2020
5 minute read
In This Article

If youā€™reĀ trying to lose weight, there are many options that can help you accomplish your goal. But all of them include the tried-and-true combination of diet and exercise. For the former, itā€™s important to eat a varied diet thatā€™s high in nutrients and tailored to your caloric needs. For the latter, you can choose your favorite activity, whether thatā€™s walking around your block or playing your favorite sport.

But walking, running and cycling continue to be three of the best and most popular choices among exercisers. Below, weā€™re breaking down how each activity can impact weight loss.

Walking for Weight Loss

According to the Department of Health and Human Servicesā€™ Physical Guidelines for Americans, adults should aim for 150ā€“300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise like walking or 75ā€“150 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week. To meet that goal, youā€™ll need to ensure youā€™re walking at a brisk paceĀ that reaches the moderate-intensity level, which is measured at 50ā€“70% of your maximum heart rate.

The pros:Ā Itā€™s easy to get started. Whether you choose to walk on a treadmill, on a path or on neighborhood streets, all you need to walk is aĀ decent pair of walking shoes.Ā Walking is also joint-friendly, which makes it a great option for people who are unable to participate in higher-impact activities.

The cons:Ā Walking is not the most efficient way to burn calories. Given its relatively modest calorie expenditure, youā€™ll need to walk at a brisk pace for a longer period of time to meet the equivalent calorie burn of other activities, like running. It can take a while to see weight-loss benefits from walking, but if you stick with it, you can set yourself up for meaningful results.

Running for Weight Loss

Running continues to be one of the most popular sports in America. This is good news, as science showsĀ jogging is a great way to fight obesity. But it may not be right for everyone.

The pros:Ā Running is efficient. ItĀ burns about 2.5 times more calories per minute than walking, which makes it a great option if youā€™re trying to lose weight. In fact,Ā one studyĀ found runners were leaner and lighter than people who did equivalent amounts of any other type of exercise. Itā€™s also easy to keep things fresh by adding a sprint or interval day into your regimen of longer, slower runs.

The cons:Ā Running is a high-impact sport. And though science finds thatĀ running actually helps bone strengthĀ andĀ lowers inflammation in the knees, it can be hard on oneā€™s body, especially if youā€™re new to exercise. More than half of all runnersĀ get hurt each year, sometimes from spraining an ankle or falling, butĀ usually from overuse. So, itā€™s important to wear comfortable shoes, find anĀ efficient strideĀ andĀ cadence for your body, supplement running with other activities likeĀ strength training, and rest when needed.

Cycling for Weight Loss

Biking is a versatile sport. It can be performedĀ indoors on basic stationary bikes or at boutique spin studios, while outdoor biking includes the option toĀ traverse mountain trails,Ā speed along paved roads,Ā ride gravelĀ or meander at a casual pace. For many, itā€™s also aĀ primary mode of transportation.

The pros:Ā Cycling is a low-impact activity, and itā€™s a great calorie burner. A 150-pound person can burn more than 500 calories per hour at a moderate pace of 12ā€“14 miles per hour and nearly 700 calories per hour at a more vigorous pace of 14ā€“16 miles per hour. It can also be a fun way to get out into nature, either for a peaceful solo ride or with friends.

The cons:Ā AĀ good bike is expensive. Same with shoes, padded shorts, helmets and other biking essentials. Even indoor options like spin studios and Peloton require a significant investment, so the steep price often disqualifies cycling as a viable activity for many people.

So, Wich Is Best?

Well, it depends. For sheer calorie burn, running and moderate-to-vigorous cycling beats walking every time. But walking is still associated with many greatĀ health benefitsĀ ā€” including a reduced risk of heart disease and lower blood pressure ā€” and it can be an effective weight-loss tool, especially when performed consistently and for longer durations. Thereā€™s not one right answer for everyone, and some people benefit more from one exercise than another.

Losing weight isnā€™t about crash diets or quick fixes. Instead, the best and healthiest weight-loss strategies involve habits you can stick with for the long term. When it comes to exercising, itā€™s smart to mix up your activities. But when choosing one exercise over another, itā€™s helpful to balance benefits like calorie burn with enjoyment. Find something you like, and youā€™re more likely to keep doing it.

Make progress on nutrition and fitness goals with our “Plans”Ā feature in the MyFitnessPal app for daily coaching and easy-to-follow tasks.

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