Running on a treadmill vs outside

BigGuy47

oddly enough, it's actually harder on my knees. Too bouncy I think.

That is odd. I prefer the slight give of the treadmill, it provides a cushion. I think running on hard pavement would hammer my knees.

sjohnny

I ran on a treadmill for the first time a couple of months ago. I was staying in a hotel I don't normally use and couldn't find a place to run nearby. I decided on a "3 mile run". It was probably the longest run of my lIfe. 9 miles outside flies by in comparison. I kept lookin at the time on the treadmill thinking "holy crap I'm not done yet". It was mind numbing. The time goes by so much faster when I'm running outside. I guess it's better than no running at all but good god it was boring.

mlb929

I"m faster outside, its easier for me, I feel less fatigued, and am overall happier. I think it's because I like the visual stimulation of movement when outside my stride is better. I also run on a treadmill in doors, and air quality is lower and the room temp is higher. I try to only do my speed work/intervals on the treadmill - but last winter when race training to PR my half, I ran 2x per week for my intervals and tempo runs on the treadmill, I had to do a few of my long runs on the treadmill but 15 miles was just way too much of a struggle.

mhotch

Bump

barbielovesgym

I definitely prefer free running outside to a treadmill. I find the treadmill so boring!

Smrhoads

I prefer the treadmill. It is hot as hell here! At 9am when I can run it is already close to 90 degrees. I also need my music. I am not comfortable wearing headphones outside because I cannot hear what is going on around me. Everyone runs stop signs around here, not to mention people up to no good. It's just not safe out there anymore.

clover5

I definitly prefer running outside over running on a treadmill. I have one but it rarely gets used. I like the fresh air and the variety of the terrain. And the quiet. Treadmills make a lot of noise.

LatinaGordita

I have only walked on a treadmill, I have always been scared to run on a treadmill. I am on week 5 of C25K and I can not imagine doing it indoors. I love running outdoors, my route is never the same, my scenery is never the same. I was stuck at home due to tropical storm debby, but at no point did I have a desire to go on a treadmill. Sunday the weather cleared up and I hit the pavement!

jenilla1

For me, running outside (even with hills) is far easier than running on treadmill. I think it's because the treadmill maintains a set speed, while running independently on trails your body naturally makes adjustments to pace as needed. Emotionally, it's more of a challenge on treadmill as well. Fighting the boredom, mostly. I do my short runs during the week on the treadmill and long weekend runs on trails. I don't run on pavement because it kills my joints. Pavement is the hardest for me to run on.

dberrien

I just started running as well and have discovered the treadmill is a good work-out AND is easier on my joints. And even though I do an adequate warm-up, pounding outdoor pavements bothers my knees.

Do what you feel is comfortable. Both indoor & outdoor running produce results and that's what counts! Good luck to you!!!

glonigan

I run on both based on time of day and temperature outside (Live in Southern Arizona). As for a treadmill doing any work for you...., I would like to see the science behind that claim. The foot and stride still work in the same fashion regardless of location. I find that the treadmill can help me push a pace (maintain) on a longer run than outside, and has helped me with working at different paces. Running outside gives me a better feel for distance, natural speed, and is more relaxing. I do find running on the treadmill rather boring and have trouble running for longer than 45 minutes on it.

I think as a newer runner the goal would be just to run. Any work done outside or inside will translate in part to the other. Just my 2 cents. Best of luck to you.

PS: If you are having knee and joint pain, two areas to look at are your stride length (Heel Strike versus Forefoot/Midfoot) and cadence(turnover speed).

g_jelly

When I saw this thread title I straight away thought yeah there must be people like me out there who struggle to run on a treadmill. But now a feel a little more like a freak with everyone saying that it is actually easier on a treadmill. It's not that I can't run on a treadmill but I definitely can't do the same distance or keep the same speed. I have tried numerous times as a way of getting my cardio in when the weather is bad or in the middle of winter and dark after work but it's just depressing. So it's pavement for me all the way!

MoreBean13

Run wherever you like to run!

Set the treadmill to a slight incline (0.5 or 1.0) if you're getting ready to transition from the treadmill to outside, and be prepared to back off your mileage some because it's harder on your joints to run on most outdoor surfaces, and don't let it hurt your pride when you have to walk more or run more slowly. They're just different animals. Run however it makes you feel good!

manhn1

If anyone is seeing me running outside, it's because I'm traveling and my hotel doesn't have a gym or the treadmills in my condo building are occupied/not working. I MUCH prefer running on a treadmill. When I run outside, I feel I am running sooooo slow. I also like running while I'm catching up with the news.

I like the outdoors...while I'm taking a stroll. I am a room service kinda guy. Camping is not my idea of fun.

While I can kinda understand why people would enjoy running in a park of trail or along the water or whatever (well, kinda), I cannot understand why one would prefer to run on an outdoor track as opposed to a treadmill. Out of doors and repetitive? That is my hell!

Destanie_Robyn

I seem to be completely the opposite to everyone else here - I actually find running on a treadmill to be harder than running outside! When you're indoors with a treadmill, it is generally hotter and stuffier, you have limited space if you have long legs, and more than anything else I find it so hard to keep running when I can just turn the machine off if I get bored. If you run outside and have a circular route planned then you kinda have to keep going until you get back home, and I find the time goes by much quicker outside in the fresh air than staring at a wall.

As a result of these I end up running further faster if I'm outdoors than in, but maybe that's just me!

I completely agree! It's too hot in the gym and I get super bored the furthest I've ever been able to run on a treadmill is 3-4 miles the furthest I've ran outside was a marathon (26.2 miles) the fresh air, breeze and beautiful changing scenery helps keep my mind occupied. Also as mentioned above, once you start on a path outside you always have to finish it to get back home or to your car

MoreBean13

If anyone is seeing me running outside, it's because I'm traveling and my hotel doesn't have a gym or the treadmills in my condo building are occupied/not working. I MUCH prefer running on a treadmill. When I run outside, I feel I am running sooooo slow. I also like running while I'm catching up with the news.

I like the outdoors...while I'm taking a stroll. I am a room service kinda guy. Camping is not my idea of fun.

While I can kinda understand why people would enjoy running in a park of trail or along the water or whatever (well, kinda), I cannot understand why one would prefer to run on an outdoor track as opposed to a treadmill. Out of doors and repetitive? That is my hell!

It will be a cold day in hell before you catch me on a track outside...except one half marathon I've done a couple times- the Runner's world one in Allentown- finishes on a track, that's it though. But most tracks are soft and cushy compared to asphalt or concrete, and are good for timing specific distances.

sjohnny

The only time I run on a track is when I do 400m intervals or something like that. Otherwise I find running on a track only slightly less boring than running on a treadmill.

geordiegirl27

Hi there

I cant manage long on a treadmill I get bored. While outdoors is harder & you may need to walk more you will build up more quickly outside overall. The treadmill is set at a nice consistent pace for you but you may not be pushing yourself enough. It might be an idea to start off on a run/walk program if you are up for proressing outdoors?

Now I've only heard this one from the chiropractor who was treating me for a recent injury but he said when I started back running I was to avoid a treadmill as its harder on your joints, something to do with the ground your running on is moving so there is more impact.

But if you're happy running on a treadmill you go for it, if you enjoy exercising its half the battle just dont be put off that you need more walk breaks outdoors.

lamerek

I'll echo what everyone has said -- running on the treadmill is easier because you're not physically propelling your body forward in space. The machine does some of the work for you. I'd suggest mixing it up so that you body doesn't get used to one thing. I *just* did my first treadmill run (7.3 miles), and I could tell it was easier—on my joints (compared to concrete or asphalt), as well as in terms of my stamina.

My favorite place to run is a (relatively flat) trail—good scenery to distract me and easy on the body/joints. However, women need to aware of their surroundings when out alone on a trail!

Treadmills can be great for adding hills when you live in a flat place like I do (altho I've yet to try hills on one!). They also rock when your indoor track is super short (like the one I use), you want to cover long distances, and it is flippin' hot out!

If you're training for a road race, you need to train on that type of surface if at all possible. It will prepare you the best for the race.

BTW -- congrats on your new running lifestyle!

kate.