Expert: Todd Bublitz, RCEP - 9/21/2006

Question
I own a mini stepper but am considering purchasing an exercise bike.  Can you tell me if a mini stepper works just as good cardiovascularly as does an exercise bike.  A lot of the times I am on the mini stepper, and I really feel my legs working, and I usually will sweat a good amount, but I'm concerned that my heart is not being worked good enough.  I can still carry on a conversation with someone (meaning I'm not out of breath), which tells me I'm not working my heart hard enough, or much at all.  Like for example, when you run, you really are breathing heavily and you feel it in your chest.  That tells me you're really working your heart muscle.  Am I correct in all of this?  You also sweat a real lot from running vs. most other cardio exercises.  I figure if I get a bike, that it'll be the same effect, of say like running, but without the stress on the joints.  Also, how good is running in place as a cardio activity?  Is there just as much stress on the joints as regular running?  Thanks for your help.

Answer
Joe,

Typically, we tell people that they should be able to carry on a conversation while doing aerobic exercise, but not be able to sing.  If you are too breathless to talk to someone, you may be working too hard.  Certainly, if you are young and healthy and like exercising so hard that you cannot carry on a conversation comfortably, that’s up to you.

Virtually any exercise can be strenuous if you put enough effort into it.  This means that no exercise is any better or worse than another if you put the same effort into it.  Jogging, bicycling, swimming, stair stepping, cross-country skiing, rowing, etc. are all good exercises.  Checking your heart rate is the best way to compare one effort to another.  If your heart rate is higher jogging than stepping, then you are working harder while jogging.  Breathing heavy is also an indication that you are working hard, but it not as accurate as heart rate.

I don’t think that anyone can say that one exercise or piece of exercise equipment is better than any other.  It all depends on what you personally like and what feels best to you.  I like jogging and stepping more than bicycling.  Lance Armstrong likes bicycling, or so I would guess.  

Bicycling is going to be easier on your joints (ankles, knees and hips) than jogging.  Running in place will be about as stressful on your joints as jogging.  Running in place will be as good as a cardiovascular exercise as the effort you put into it (check your heart rate).  Personally, I would think that jogging in place would be about the most boring aerobic exercise that a person could do.

Best wishes.

Todd