Treadmill vs standard walking

Msldy76

Just a question... I've recently started using the treadmill. How is that different than standard walking

kgirlhart

I don't really know. For me, it would be boring. I walk outside at a park. There are lots of hills. I enjoy it because the scenery is pretty and I see different people. I alos take my dogs. There is always something going on. A treadmill would be nice if the weather is bad or if you can only walk when it is dark. I know a few people who watch movies whole on the treadmill.

trigden1991

On a treadmill you walk in one place, walking outside you actually move in a direction. From a calorie point of view, neither is better or worse. Do what you can be consistent with.

RoxieDawn

Think of this way: treadmills moving treads do some of the work for you.. Use your incline and level settings to make your walks challenging, etc.. you can still achieve a comparable calorie burn for either method.

kthompson601

I find that walking on the treadmill for a while hurts my back more than walking outside. This is probably due to the ground texture and the incline. On the treadmill, the ground is always the same hardness and flatness, while outside it's variable. Also, the treadmill is at the same incline, unless you alter it while you walk. Outside you're going to see more variation.

You can burn calories and become healthy by using either method. I try to walk outside when the weather is nice (like right now) but when it's super hot or the dead of winter the treadmill is fine. If you do choose the treadmill, definitely play with the incline. You should have the incline set above zero--the steeper you set it, the harder your body will work, so your heart rate will go up. I would also suggest changing the incline (if you're doing an hour, walk for 10 minutes at a 3.5 incline, then bump it to 6, then bring it down, so on and so forth). The variation is good for your legs, back, and heart.

cwolfman13

Msldy76 wrote: »

Just a question... I've recently started using the treadmill. How is that different than standard walking

It is far more boring...

Francl27

Treadmill is better long term as you can increase the incline. I love walking outside though so I do both, but it's not completely flat in my area either.

MoveitlikeManda

i do both but prefer walking outside, im just not a fan of cold and rain so this time of year my outside walks decrease and the tredmill use increases

STLBADGIRL

I notice on my walks outdoors I walk faster and my heart rate is higher. I also go further and I believe b/c I get bored faster on the treadmill. You will have to rely on yourself to incline on the treadmill, whereas on a walk, sometimes you can't avoid hills (even if they are small) unless you choose to walking on a track of flat surfaces. I think they both have their benefits, but I enjoy walking outdoors and get more calorie burn.

dkabambe

Assuming you play with the incline to get a variety of inclines as you would outside, there is very little difference. When running, one advantage of going outside - particularly on grass/sand/dirt-trails is it works your smaller muscles and involuntary reflexes as you have to constantly make micro adjustments to keep your balance/stability on uneven surfaces. The effect is probably not as much but I imagine it applies to walking as well. The flip-side of this is it is harder on the ankles so if you've got weak ankles or a previous injury then you need to be careful or risk twisting it etc.

Like others here, getting outside keeps my interest much longer than a treadmill ever could.

ericwhitt

Treadmill also doesn't have any wind resistance. Walking into the wind definitely feels a bit harder, but also better to help cool you off.

StaciMarie1974

The activity IS different. I only know this because I can run faster outside than when on a treadmill. But for me, which one is 'better' depends on the scenario. Treadmill is reliable regardless of weather as its in the basement. It doesn't rain there. I also can multitask, reading or watching a show while on the treadmill. I don't have to drive somewhere to get to it. On the other hand, walking/running outdoors are nice as I can do it with another person. The scenery is more interesting.

PaulaWallaDingDong

It's easier to watch tv while on a treadmill. Also, you can go up hill 100% of the time if you want.

Christine_72

The main difference between the two for me is the boredom factor, I can walk for miles outside and enjoy it. But i count down the minutes and seconds on the dreadmill, even when watching tv, i just hate those things!!