excercise bike vs treadmill

[99cvpi]

i plan to start getting in shape. i'm not nasty or anything. 5'6, 162 lbs. i am going to attempt to become a state LEO, and obviously, i have to be in better shape. being that it's cold and snowy here, my plan for now is to use the equipment in my basement. is there any advantage to using one of the above mentioned machines over the other, and just do both? the treadmill doesn't inline anymore, and the bike is pretty basic as well. i do have a weight bench too, and plan on using that soon too. thanks in advance.

-jon

[The13ig13adWolf]

Better off running outside IMO so as to self-propel. Aside from that, why do you feel the need to choose one or the other? Use both.

[mcsap]

Every police test that I am familiar with includes running as part of the test and NONE include bicycle riding. SO focus on whatever is best to prepare you for the test ( the treadmill).

I just bought a treadmill at Sears ( Nordicatrack T7 for $665) because I don't like to run in the ice , snow extreme cold and rain. Otherwise I do run outside.

My pulse rate at the tnd of my 3 miles is right at 168 , exactly where I am when I run on the track.

[Jynkxxie]

Every police test that I am familiar with includes running as part of the test and NONE include bicycle riding. SO focus on whatever is best to prepare you for the test ( the treadmill).

I just bought a treadmill at Sears ( Nordicatrack T7 for $665) because I don't like to run in the ice , snow extreme cold and rain. Otherwise I do run outside.

My pulse rate at the tnd of my 3 miles is right at 168 , exactly where I am when I run on the track.

I don't like nature because it hurts my knees!:D

I say treadmill as well. I am not dissing bikes. I am sure there are some bikers that can get a killer workout on them, but unless you are really avid at it, I have never seen a regular joe sweating on them at the gym.

[bluelightzgrl]

I love running, but I hate treadmills (but that's just me)...I'll say outside as much as you can but if the weather is too cold/icey stick with the treadmill.

I say treadmill as well. I am not dissing bikes. I am sure there are some bikers that can get a killer workout on them, but unless you are really avid at it, I have never seen a regular joe sweating on them at the gym.

I am an avid mountain biker and I will tell you that riding will not do you nearly the amount of good as running. Nor will it help you prepare for a fit-test. As for stationary bikes, personally I hate them and I fail to see how they could help at all. Maybe if you had a stationary trainer for a road or mountain bike...but a true stationary bike, forget it.

[licensed2carry.]

Ellipticals are also great ways to get in shape and they are a little easier on the knees as well. Good Luck!

[normal1]

I've used my bicycle to get from 310 (in early '07) to 235 now, this is huge for me because it will now be safe for me to run without severely injuring my legs/knees! I'm so excited! :D

Anyway, I think it depends on you, if you like to be outside and see the sights go running in the streets, if you want to bike for cardio or because you like it obviously you know where I stand.

[Oldbillplod]

I swear by using a cross trainer when in the gym, gives you an all round workout.

[CityOfChicago]

Train like you fight because you fight like you train. That being said, give preferential treatment to running, and use the bike to break things up.

Wolf is right, outdoors is better than indoors because there is the element of self-propulsion. When you walk or run outside, you must MOVE your body forward. On the treadmill the belt is MOVING rearward. You are not required to propel your bodyweight forward, so some of the efficacy is lost. You can mimic this a bit on the treadmill by using a slight incline, but it's still not the same - just better. Also, running is less efficient (better) than walking because when you run, there is a moment in each step where both feet are in the air. This requires you to propel your bodyweight upward as well as outward. BUT remember this - nothing compares to the real deal, and your test will be on the ground, not a treadmill, so go outside as often as possible. What if the test day is unseaonably cold? Will your lungs be ready?

You can further break up the routine by interval running and fartlek running (varying speed AND incline several times during a run if using a treadmill). You can do .5 mi jogs intersperesed with bike sprints to build up lactic acid in your legs (the running will allow for lactic acid removal and the training would have the additional benefit of increasing lactic acid threshold). These are just a couple ways to work outside, inside, and bike into a rounded program. Just remember - You must be able to run the test in the required time. That's should be the bread and butter of the program. The given distance in the given time. The other ideas are just to break things up a couple times a week.

[lighthouse]

Ellipticals are also great ways to get in shape and they are a little easier on the knees as well. Good Luck!

A little easier on the knees, Try a LOT easier on the knees. Treadmills kill my knees, I would rather be outside on the ground.

[CityOfChicago]

Hey 99,

How goes the training? What have you been doing and how's it going?

[RR_uel]

Threadstarter (and everyone else for that matter), note that there are five components of physical fitness:

1. Muscular Strength
2. Muscular Endurance
3. Cardiorespiratory Fitness
4. Satisfactory Body Composition (eg body fat pct)
5. Flexibility

Make sure to do all five. Don't concentrate on just one or a few.