Cycling or running - flexibility

[Fish]

I want to start building up my cardio fitness. I know both cycling and running will be good activities for this. What I am wondering about is"

(1) which is likely to have the most negative impact on flexibility? and

(2) I know boxers use running: is that because the specific leg muscles it trains are those used in martial arts?

I can gain leg strength and flexibility in other ways, but I want to substantially increase my cardio fitness as part of my training towards my black belt test, which I hope to be taking in about 18 months to 2 years time.

[marie curie]

The important thing is that you stretch for a while before and after. That way neither are going to have a significant negative effect on your flexibility.

[turbo wrx]

Hi. I don't see how cycling or running would have a negative impact on your flexibility. If you want to kick high, you need flexibility, but you also need strength to lift your legs up high because legs are heavy.

Running or cycling can strengthen/tone your legs and give you cardio exercise. Another exercise to consider is jumping rope, which may help with your cardio fitness goals.

Unless you're doing massive body-building, I wouldn't worry about your flexibility being impacted. I would just suggest doing warm-up exercises prior to running/cycling, and then doing static stretching afterwards to maintain/increase your flexibility.

[bushido_man96]

The important thing is that you stretch for a while before and after. That way neither are going to have a significant negative effect on your flexibility.

I agree. Your flexibility will not suffer, as long as you continue to stretch. Lifting weights with your legs will not impair your flexibility, either, as long as you stretch. With that in mind, you may want to alternate between both, so that you get your body a different routine going, forestalling stagnation.

[Fish]

On Saturday I broke a 4 year stint during which I've done almost no cycling (having been a regular cyclist and runner before) by doing a 25 mile hilly training ride with a friend. Boy, did it hurt! But my heart rate was never above 75%!

I can see those hills will be good for my strength as well as my overall fitness. Of course, I made sure I stretched properly on Saturday and Sunday, which has helped a lot with recovering.