treadmill vs outdoor running

jdawson002
jdawson002 Posts: 167 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
is one more beneficial than the other?
is it easier on a treadmill than outside?
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Replies

  • deluxmary2000
    deluxmary2000 Posts: 981 Member
    Honestly, as far as difficulty goes, it’s a complete wash for me. Running on a treadmill is technically easier than running outside from a pure Physics perspective. However, that is balanced out by the mental boredom/difficulty that goes along with being on the treadmill.
    So I can go just as far/fast outside as I can on a treadmill.
    In terms of which is more beneficial, it would depend on your criteria.
  • JDMac82
    JDMac82 Posts: 3,192 Member
    I can run outside for over an hour, past 30 mins on a treadmill i get super bored, even with music or a tv going.
    I feel like a hamster on a wheel. I have noticed that i dont get as good a workout leg wise on a treadmill due to its moving and Im not. Its a winter routine for me due to ice, but when i can get outside. I much rather that.
  • Philtex
    Philtex Posts: 1,239 Member
    I find the control you have on a treadmill one of its better features. Regulating speed is easy on a TM, not so much outside, especially for a new runner unless you use a GPS watch. If you run an out and back route outside, or even a loop, once you are out there you are committed for that distance back. On a TM you can stop whenever you want and will be right where you started.
  • jessiferrrb
    jessiferrrb Posts: 1,758 Member
    i started c25k on a treadmill and was zipping through the program pretty well, one night i decided to run outside to get to my local pub for trivia. i nearly died after 3 minutes and i was a mess by the end. That being said, circumstances changed and i've not had access to a treadmill in a year and now i run outside and i love it. i'll have my first treadmill run tomorrow and i'm really curious to see how it will go.
  • mandabeth34
    mandabeth34 Posts: 158 Member
    I use both but prefer outside by a long shot. It's more challenging physically, but much more visually stimulating. When I run outside, I tend to listen to my body more on how fast it wants to/ can go. That being said, I do love my treadmill for rainy or scorching days, or days when the kids won't let me leave the house.
  • meritage4
    meritage4 Posts: 1,441 Member
    Both are better than not running.
    Treadmill can be anytime, never gets dark, unlikely to be mugged etc, can be ok with seasonal allergies
    Outside you can do almost anywhere, is better mentallt/spiritually, is harder physciaclly due to uneven ground etc.

    The important thing is to run!
  • peleroja
    peleroja Posts: 3,979 Member
    Philtex wrote: »
    I find the control you have on a treadmill one of its better features. Regulating speed is easy on a TM, not so much outside, especially for a new runner unless you use a GPS watch. If you run an out and back route outside, or even a loop, once you are out there you are committed for that distance back. On a TM you can stop whenever you want and will be right where you started.

    This is a good point. I had a lot of trouble when I was a very new runner trying to regulate my pace, and I was constantly going out too fast and ending up exhausted well before my planned route was finished, even if it was a distance I knew I could cover. It was nice when I was starting out to be able to say "okay, 5K at 10:00 min/mile, 1% incline" and then just run without thinking about it.

    Most people here will sing the praises of outdoor running and talk about the treadmill like a torture device, but I really don't feel that way. I use both the treadmill and outdoors and I like them both for different reasons. I go outside when I like the weather and it's daytime, inside when it's inclement or dark. Both have their advantages to me but I tend to run a little faster outdoors for some reason.

    One thing I do like about the treadmill is being able to blast my music and read a book or watch something or whatever and just zone out completely. It's kind of nice to be able to completely ignore my surroundings for a while. I also like not having to worry about what I'm wearing or carrying and I can just hop on with no fuss. I also live in a fairly cold climate and it's nice to not have to battle minus forty temps and snow and ice and dark for months on end if I want a workout.

    Outdoor runs feel a little easier to me because there's a defined sense of how long I'm doing it for based on my route, plus I have a lot more to observe and occupy my mind that way. But everyone is different.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Philtex wrote: »
    If you run an out and back route outside, or even a loop, once you are out there you are committed for that distance back. On a TM you can stop whenever you want and will be right where you started.

    Being committed to a distance is a bad thing? B)

    Last time I checked success in running (like success in all other aspects of life) was premised on commitment.

  • marciblue1
    marciblue1 Posts: 1 Member
    I love the treadmill, no dogs, vehicles and I can open the windows for fresh air. I grab a good book and gradually increase my time and difficulty. Before I know it 30 to 60 minutes are finished.
  • dbanks80
    dbanks80 Posts: 3,685 Member
    I prefer outside. The terrain varies inclines etc...but lately I've been too lazy to run outside so I've been running on the treadmill.
  • girlinahat
    girlinahat Posts: 2,956 Member
    Outside, off road for me. I get as bored on flat tarmac as I do on a treadmill, plus off road uses more body skills and core muscles. I keep myself entertained by watching the wildlife, trying to pick blackberries in motion and doing my best not to fall over something. Gives me a mental challenge.

    I run faster overall outside. I think this is because my pace changes to reflect the surface, I doubt we evolved to run a steady continuous pace. The movement of air over my skin helps evaporate my sweat so keeps me cool, on a treadmill i would most likely give up due to overheating after time.

    Plus outside I get to discover new places, I'm constantly getting lost in the woods near me. I'm looking to join a running club soon to explore more places and let other people get me lost.
  • johnnylloyd0618
    johnnylloyd0618 Posts: 303 Member
    Both have there place. I enjoy the tarmac for sure. However, in Florida there aren't many hills, so I can change the elevation. I can also concentrate on form and more effectively do intervals. TM are a great tool for training, but would it ever be my go to choice? No, but it serves it purpose.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    Not a fan of treadmills at all, but I can see where they've got value for those who can't get out and run in the real.

    I get very bored, so I'd rather get kitted up and go out. Night-time running on trails is great fun, and good training for long duration races that'll extend into the night, or night races.

    The variation in terrain gives far more training effect, although that assumes you've got ready access to challenging routes. If all you've got access to is flat surface, then you need to use one to give yourself some elevation.

    Needs must though, for some.
  • Philtex
    Philtex Posts: 1,239 Member
    BrianSharpe wrote: »
    Being committed to a distance is a bad thing?

    I didn't say that. Being committed to a distance for your run is generally good, but sometimes things change and being 4 miles from home can turn out to be pretty inconvenient.
  • evilokc
    evilokc Posts: 263 Member
    When i was prepping for a race i only ran on a treadmill. Everyone said that i woukdnt be able to duplicate or beat my treadmill times outside. I beat my treadmill time and won. Turns outi hate running either way.
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    marciblue1 wrote: »
    I love the treadmill, no dogs, vehicles and I can open the windows for fresh air. I grab a good book and gradually increase my time and difficulty. Before I know it 30 to 60 minutes are finished.

    You can read while running?
  • peleroja
    peleroja Posts: 3,979 Member
    singingflutelady wrote: »
    marciblue1 wrote: »
    I love the treadmill, no dogs, vehicles and I can open the windows for fresh air. I grab a good book and gradually increase my time and difficulty. Before I know it 30 to 60 minutes are finished.

    You can read while running?

    I didn't post this but I can and do on the treadmill often, with my ereader and the font size increased a bit. I just put it on the ledge and tap whenever I need to turn the page.

    Granted, I only do this with "easy" runs (for me that's no faster than about a 9 min/mile or 6.8 mph) and wouldn't do it with sprint intervals or anything, but I don't find it too challenging most of the time.
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    I would be vomiting but I can't read in the car either
  • Runningman_78
    Runningman_78 Posts: 34 Member
    I cant do treadmill running, I get far too bored. But not everyone has the luxury of the right weather or safe area to run in so this is where a treadmill is handy.
  • richardpkennedy1
    richardpkennedy1 Posts: 1,890 Member
    Runningman_78 wrote: »
    I cant do treadmill running, I get far too bored. But not everyone has the luxury of the right weather or safe area to run in so this is where a treadmill is handy.

    This. Treadmill running is very boring and many people quit after a few weeks because of it. I would say the biggest advantage of a treadmill is that you can pace yourself exactly how you want to. You can gradually increase the speed session by session and you know that you can handle it. However outdoor running is undoubtedly more interesting. Also I am much more comfortable sprinting the last few hundred metres outside than on a treadmill for the fear of falling off!
  • deetucker70
    deetucker70 Posts: 43 Member
    Started out running on the treadmill in March. Logged around 12-16 miles a week. Was really nervous about transitioning to outdoor running because runner friends told me that treadmill running is easier as the belt is helping to propel you forward. I have now been doing all of my runs outside for about 6 weeks. Not sure if this is true for most but I find running outside easier once you find a comfortable pace. Something about the sunshine and fresh air makes me feel lucky to be out there running. Dreading heading back indoors this winter!
  • Puravidablonde
    Puravidablonde Posts: 65 Member
    Any time I can work out outside, I will. So I def prefer running outdoors. Here, I can ewe jungle, the beach, views of the ocean, you can't beat it. Treadmills bore the hell out of me. One pro to a treadmill to me though is the regulation of speed and being able to set down my water bottle.
  • c2111
    c2111 Posts: 693 Member
    Before my accident I loved both, treadmill excellent hiit training, can do any time of day, night time etc in any weather, loved running out doors too, but my access to that was difficult as cant leave two small kids alone at home. Both great, but loved my treadmill, just awesome.
  • c2111
    c2111 Posts: 693 Member
    edited September 2016
    I used to get so in to my run on the treadmill with swapping speeds and inclines and listening to prodidgy it was never boring, around that 6 Min mark I'd get my endorphins kicking in.
  • Djproulx
    Djproulx Posts: 3,084 Member
    I do both. While I like running outside, since I typically train in the early morning, I'll just head to the gym to run on the treadmill during the winter. It's part of my routine. I do some resistance training, some core work, then I'll crank out 4-5 miles on the treadmill. If I want to mix it up, I'll do intervals on it as well. I don't mind the treadmill for runs up to an hour. Weekend long runs are all done outside.

  • RNinPitts
    RNinPitts Posts: 19 Member
    Outside...natural elevation and sets mood. I can get in zone and enjoy. Treadmill gets it use in winter when I'm not able to get outdoor run in.
  • DoubleG2
    DoubleG2 Posts: 123 Member
    Ugh - dreadmill. I prefer to be outside; any weather, any time.
  • jillybeansalad
    jillybeansalad Posts: 239 Member
    I get really bad jaw pain if I have to breathe in cold air. I love treadmills that have different incline levels, but I also love trail running outside. Both are better than sitting on my couch and it's difficult to have an excuse not to do any running. :)

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