What Burns Fat Faster Running or Exercise Bikes?

If you're committed to burning fat to help maintain a healthier physique, your next order of business is to choose one or more aerobic exercises to help you meet your fitness goals. Running and pedaling an exercise bike are each effective ways to burn calories, although the pace you adopt dictates which activity burns fat quicker.

  1. Running

    • In any aerobic exercise, including running, your weight and how long and how hard you exercise are the factors that determine the rate at which you'll burn calories. The heavier you are and the faster and longer you run, the more calories you'll burn. For example, someone who weighs 155 pounds and runs at 5 mph will burn 298 calories in 30 minutes, according to Harvard Medical School. Someone who weighs 185 pounds and runs at 7.5 mph for 30 minutes will burn 555 calories.

    Exercise Bike

    • Unlike a traditional bicycle, pedaling an exercise bike is ideal because it allows you to track the speed and length of your workout. Exercise bikes typically track the calories you've burned, too, but base their results on averages and aren't always accurate. If you weigh 155 pounds and use an exercise bike for 30 minutes at a moderate rate, you'll burn 260 calories. If you weigh 185 pounds and pedal vigorously for 30 minutes, expect to burn 466 calories.

    Comparison

    • Although running will typically help you burn calories faster than riding an exercise bike, you can adjust your workout to help you burn as many calories as possible. For example, if you're only able to sustain a 30-minute run but can comfortably pedal an exercise bike for 60 minutes, the exercise bike is the more efficient way to burn calories. Increasing the bike's resistance level can also increase the rate at which you burn calories.

    Considerations

    • Frequent exercise is a simple way to burn fat and get in shape, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends getting at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per week. You don't have to choose between running and cycling. Adding both exercises to your workout regimen can help create variety in your workouts. In addition to helping you burn calories, both activities can boost your cardiovascular fitness, reduce your stress levels and build your muscles.