treadmill vs outdoor running
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jdawson002
Posts: 167 Member
is one more beneficial than the other?
is it easier on a treadmill than outside?
is it easier on a treadmill than outside?
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Replies
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I've never lasted past 40 minutes on a treadmill because it's too boring.
Running outside is more beneficial in my opinion because it can transport you from one place to another one. But 'beneficial' really depends on what your goals are.6 -
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.
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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.1 -
Running on a treadmill is easier inasmuch as the mat is moving, you're not dealing with changes in terrain (unless yours is one that has programs that emulate elevation profiles) and there's no head wind etc. Running outside is better IMO simply because it's far more enjoyable (but then I'm also blessed with beautiful recreational paths a few hundred metres from my front door)
Having said that, running on a treadmill is still better than not running at all and many runners use them to keep their fitness up over winter etc. Personally, I'm one of those lunatics that runs outside all year 'round but the I'm Canadian, eh!5 -
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.1
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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.3
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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.1
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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!2 -
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.2 -
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?
Last time I checked success in running (like success in all other aspects of life) was premised on commitment.
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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.1
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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.0
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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.1 -
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.
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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.
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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.1 -
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.3
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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?0 -
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.0 -
I would be vomiting but I can't read in the car either1
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