Running vs Walking

[Deet2005]

Is it true that running is better to get rid of the gut and walking is better for the butt?

[Lyssie]

Re: Running vs Walking

Nope.

[IrishMom82]

Re: Running vs Walking

I've read and been told that you burn the same amount of calories whether you walk or run. I don't know about what's better for the body parts.

Lyssie could you elaborate a little please?

[Lyssie]

Re: Running vs Walking

You don't burn the same amount of calories either way. I actuall read an article about this the other day, it was funny. Basically it boils down to the fact that if you're running you're actually jumping from foot to foot, when you're walking you're just shifting weight, so you have to count for the extra calories (when running) that it takes for the jumping. The study showed the NCB (Net Calorie Burn - which is how many calories you burned working out minus how many calories you would have burned sitting doing nothing) to be 105 vs. 52 for men and 91 vs. 43 for women. The men weighed more than the women making up a good portion of the difference. The whole article is here: How Many Calories Are You Really Burning?. It also gives a nifty breakdown of which workout is more challenging (walking vs. running) at which speeds - in increments of .5 from 3.0mph - 5.5mph.

Now, back to the thing about your tummy vs. tushie... Both walking and running are considered cardio activities that burn off calories. You cannot choose where you are losing those calories from - if you burn 50000 from running, or 50000 from walking, you could lose them equally in both places, or differently in each place... It doesn't matter the type of exercise.

That being said, if you are doing your walking or running at an incline, you will be working your gluteus muscles more, and if you are running you will be using your abdominals more to keep your upper body still. So these are strengthening the muscles while you're burning the calories.

Does this give a little more clarification regarding the previous "Nope"?

[eclectikat]

Re: Running vs Walking

Nope.

I agree!
Kathy

[Deet2005]

Re: Running vs Walking

Thank you for the clarification Lyssie! That is very interesting information. I just remembered hearing that "walking is for the butt and running is for the gut." It makes sense that you can't really choose where you burn fat from

Thanks again!

[Greeneggs&ham]

Re: Running vs Walking

Also, as Tom pointed out in a sticky somewhere, measuring distance rather than time is the great equalizer between running and walking. According to most fitness experts, you will burn roughly the same number of calories in a mile walked or in a mile run. Obviously the latter will happen in a shorter amount of time, but if you aren't up to running continuously for a mile, walking the same distance will yield the same results on your tummy and your tush!

[Lyssie]

Re: Running vs Walking

Actually, as stated in the article that I posted, you will burn (if I remember correctly) approximately 40% more calories running a mile than walking a mile.

[flpooh19701]

Re: Running vs Walking

Is it true that running is better to get rid of the gut and walking is better for the butt?

HAHA.. I'd never heard it quite put that way... I know for me, I'm not running anywhere unless something is chasing me that could potentially eat me.. lol
My knees would complain too much anyway

[Lyssie]

Re: Running vs Walking

I can understand that, I never thought I'd be running anywhere (except maybe outside to have a ciggie between meetings), now I've pretty much committed myself to doing a half marathon the end of November...

[flpooh19701]

Re: Running vs Walking

I can understand that, I never thought I'd be running anywhere (except maybe outside to have a ciggie between meetings), now I've pretty much committed myself to doing a half marathon the end of November...

I have to respect you for that! Good Luck!

[Greeneggs&ham]

Re: Running vs Walking

Actually, as stated in the article that I posted, you will burn (if I remember correctly) approximately 40% more calories running a mile than walking a mile.

Touché. Thanks for enlightening me.

I found this article (which supports your facts as well), although it also adds that best results come from 20-60 minute exercise sessions so 15 minutes of running is not necessarily as good for you as 30 minutes of walking. It goes on to say that walking can be effective yet easier on the joints and organs of an overweight person.

Aside from that though, it would appear that running is a better option than walking if you can maintain the gait for a long enough period of time.

I think I'll go out for a jog.

[Lyssie]

Re: Running vs Walking

Doing any cardio activity for 15 minutes is not as good as doing cardio for 30 minutes. Especially since folks are to do at least 30min cardio 3 times a week.

Walking and Running are both great workouts depending on your level of fitness. I (obviously) don't think people would be running with pain when walking is an obvious option. It is also said though, that if you don't try to push through the pain, you can actually strengthen your joints from forcing them to rebuild/heal with the running/bouncing (I've actually experienced this with my knees).

[flpooh19701]

Re: Running vs Walking

Did any of you see where they now recommend 1 hour every day instead of the 30 minute rule? It's been on the news a couple times this week. But I think for people starting out any movement is good movement. People may get overwhelmed just starting out at the prospect of 1 hour every day.

[gman]

Re: Running vs Walking

Great question by Deet205 and super reply and reference by Lyssie.
IMO running is harder and has more payback. If you can walk and work up to jogging and then more of a run, you will be getting into better shape. I think it's like weight training also, in that you are building up muscle which will burn more cals throughout the day.