Interesting Article on Treadmill v. Outside Running

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  • icandothistrish85
    icandothistrish85 Posts: 116
    I go further and last long while running outside vs. running on my treadmill. I don't get as winded, either.
  • GorillaNJ
    GorillaNJ Posts: 4,024 Member
    Hmmmm... so that was not overly informative. LOL

    I am far from a "runner" but I do like to mix in a treadmill run to set a benchmark for myself to running outside. It seems easier to me to set the treadmill for 7mph and keep up then it is for me to push myself outside to keep that same pace.
  • ilookthetype
    ilookthetype Posts: 3,021 Member
    I can last 10 minutes MAX on a treadmill, I get bored and winded and I stop. When I run outside? I can/have run for a few hours at a time, and even if I don't want to run anymore, I'm still X number of miles from home and have to get back...
  • MayMaydoesntrun
    MayMaydoesntrun Posts: 805 Member
    I hate the dreadmill. I'd rather run outside in the rain, cold, or dark any day.
  • sharonsjones
    sharonsjones Posts: 574 Member
    I have noticed that when I run on a treadmill I cannot run as fast a pace as when I run outside. I run faster and I'm not as tired when I run outside. I truly hate to run on treadmills unless the wind is blowing 40 mph as it does here in west texas and sometimes I'll still run outside. LOL
  • micls
    micls Posts: 234
    Interesting but the facts seem a little dubious.

    Personally, I hate the treadmill, find it boring, but then again I've never run outside(apart from playing sport) so I could also find that boring. I live in Thailand and I can barely walk in the heat most days, I'd die if I tried to run in it!

    For me, the advantage of the gym is that I go from work, before I get home. I'm awful at motivating myself, once I'm home, getting ready/getting up again to go out is a struggle. I'm not sure I'd bother most days if I was supposed to run. With the gym I have to walk passed it on the way to the skytrain to get home. i see it and the guilt pulls me in.

    Works for me anyway.
  • Pangea250
    Pangea250 Posts: 965 Member
    Fantastic article - thanks so much for posting it. I can relate to almost everything the author mentions. I have a great treadmill in my house, but I prefer running outside any day of the week. Few things keep me inside for running, such as if my young daughter is unable to go with me (if the weather is bad for her, if she is sleeping, etc.). I have been using the treadmill a little more often recently for interval training to increase my speed. But generally I don't run as far or as long or as easily when I'm inside.
  • NeuroticVirgo
    NeuroticVirgo Posts: 3,671 Member
    Interesting article, not to much scientific info, seems mostly like one guys opinion. But I have to say, I agree with his opinion. I do not like the treadmill. Its boring, and makes me focus way to much on the fact that I'm excising. At least if I'm outside I can get distracted by the surroundings and then the next thing you know I'm done!
  • k8bugz
    k8bugz Posts: 64 Member
    I do both - I prefer to run outdoors, but I live in a pretty hilly and windy area, so sometimes the weather sucks so I run on the treadmill, or I when I want to just zone out and run fast while listening to my ipod. But I usually only make it about 30 minutes before I start to lose interest and have to fight to go longer. I like the variety of doing both and I think treadmills feel better on my joints. I also set the treadmill at a 1% incline.

    As the article noted, I run faster and it feels easier when I'm running outside. I get inspired more when I'm outside then staring at other sweaty people. However, I ran 10 miles on a treadmill this weekend because the weather was gross and I needed to get a long run in for an upcoming half-marathon. I had really psyched myself up for it though, and considered it more a mental workout than a physical one. I took a 5 minute break after 60 minutes and switched treadmills, but otherwise it was okay. I'm not sure I will ever do it again, but it feels amazing to know that I can.
  • skylark94
    skylark94 Posts: 2,036 Member
    I guess I'm the oddball that loves my treadmill. When I'm outside, I find it too easy to slack off . On the treadmill, I have to make a conscious effort to push that button and slow down if I get lazy. Living in Florida, it's also really nice to have a constant cool temp at the gym.

    I also will admit that I am a bit afraid to head back outside now that the weather is cooling. Last fall I was training for a 1/2 marathon when I injured my knee. I don't know what I did exactly (no insurance to get it checked out) but the pain was excruciating and I had to stop running. I think the injury was caused by running down a steep causeway bridge and on the camber of the low tide sand at the beach. I really thought I would never run again. A year later I decided to try again on the safety of a perfectly flat treadmill. Ten weeks back into it and I am pain free, but I do still get an occasional twinge from my knee when walking downhill. My treadmill keeps me safe from all of the angles, curbs, and turns that I would have to encounter if I ran outside.

    I do hope to get back outside someday, but for now I am content to stay safely indoors.
  • agthorn
    agthorn Posts: 1,844 Member
    I do some of both and don't mind either. I won't run in the rain, or if it's below freezing. And I don't think it's safe to run when it's dark.
  • sharonsjones
    sharonsjones Posts: 574 Member
    I do both - I prefer to run outdoors, but I live in a pretty hilly and windy area, so sometimes the weather sucks so I run on the treadmill, or I when I want to just zone out and run fast while listening to my ipod. But I usually only make it about 30 minutes before I start to lose interest and have to fight to go longer. I like the variety of doing both and I think treadmills feel better on my joints. I also set the treadmill at a 1% incline.

    As the article noted, I run faster and it feels easier when I'm running outside. I get inspired more when I'm outside then staring at other sweaty people. However, I ran 10 miles on a treadmill this weekend because the weather was gross and I needed to get a long run in for an upcoming half-marathon. I had really psyched myself up for it though, and considered it more a mental workout than a physical one. I took a 5 minute break after 60 minutes and switched treadmills, but otherwise it was okay. I'm not sure I will ever do it again, but it feels amazing to know that I can.

    OMG I can't believe you did 10 miles on a treadmill! The longest I have ever ran on a treadmill is 6 miles.
  • godblessourhome
    godblessourhome Posts: 3,892 Member
    i agree with many of the points the article makes, especially this:
    people who ran outside ran faster than the people who ran on treadmills, yet they had lower perceived exertion and the "highest levels of positive engagement, revitalization, tranquillity, and course satisfaction,"
  • ashlielinn
    ashlielinn Posts: 920
    I'm a treadmill, girl. I enjoy running outside, but never do as much as I do on a treadmill. I'm not sure if it's the temperature affecting my asthma, or what, but I definitely get winded much faster, so much I have to take a breather, which never happens to me on a treadmill. Plus, I like to zone out when I run. I put on some music, glue my eyes to the mile counter, and don't stop until I reach the distance I want to run for the day, and THEN I look at the time I've been running and finish up whatever time I have left, knowing I've already accomplished my goal. When I'm outside, I have to pay attention to where I'm going and obstacles in my way. Everyone's different, I suppose :)
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