Treadmill or Outside?

Lindbergnd

Which do you prefer when it comes to running? Why?
For me, i prefer outside. But both has up and downs. Outside i can run a distance in a faster time but on the treadmill i feel like i can run longer. It's weird.

lesliev523

I love the arc trainer inside the most..... but I do run/walk outside quite a bit as well.

I know I burn more inside...

Huskeryogi

Outside. I get beyond bored on my dreadmill. 20 min on there is my max. I just try to hop on once-twice a week during the winter so I don't lose too much.

I will run outside until the sidewalks are too snowy or it's below 20 degrees.

RunDottyRun

At the moment, I love the treadmill. I can zone out without running into pot holes ect ect (I've hurt myself many times that way! lol)

But I'll be moving soon, to somewhere a lot more runner friendly with footpaths everywhere so I reckon I'll prefer outside then

Skinny_Jeans_Soon

I prefer trails anyday over running on the treadmill or concrete.

DG_Allen

Outside hands down. I get bored instantly inside on my elliptical.

wolfchild59

I do both because of the timing of my workouts. And I have pros and cons about each one.

Overall, I prefer running outside simply because it's a more natural feeling. You aren't dialing in a pace and trying to run it, you're just going at what feel comfortable and your body can adjust up and down in speed without having to worry about hitting a button and knowing exactly what speed you're going to run at that moment.

Being able to run like that helps to keep from outpacing myself and needing to take an actual walking break since I'm just subconsciously making adjustments in pace as I go and don't even have to worry about it. I've run a half marathon without a single walking break, but often find it difficult to not need to slow way down or walk when going just a few miles on the treadmill because I've set myself to one pace and end up worn out faster. Yet, my outdoor average paces are faster than what I set my treadmill runs at.

That said, I only get one outdoor run a week because I work out after work during the week. So I hit the treadmill for any run days during the week. It's not bad, but it gets boring. And I hate the bounciness of the treadmills, they make my knees hurt.

I do stream movies or TV shows to my phone while I work out, so that helps some with the boredom, but nothing compares to the view when running outside. Though, I did get through the entire series of Phineas and Ferb while I trained for my first half marathon. lol

montana_girl

I prefer to run outside because then I can go at my pace, not one set by the treadmill. However, for the long Montana winters... the treadmill is really nice to have! :happy:

mmk137

outside. 100% I love the sounds the air (as I live in the country loads of trails for me) just everything.

I hate the treadmill, i just find it so boring, and I can only run on their for short periods of time. I prefer running outside and seeing the world pass me by

caraiselite

my shin splints act up when i run outside, but not on a treadmill.

shabaity

outside i have to pay just enough attention that i dont zone focus and not hear my app giving me alarms

shabaity

outside i have to pay just enough attention that i dont zone focus and not hear my app giving me alarms

Huskeryogi

I do stream movies or TV shows to my phone while I work out, so that helps some with the boredom, but nothing compares to the view when running outside. Though, I did get through the entire series of Phineas and Ferb while I trained for my first half marathon. lol

I have a TV in front of my treadmill that never gets used I tried it twice and both times having it on just made me yearn for the couch. I associate TV series with curling up on the sofa and can't break the association.

I don't have cable hooked up to that TV so I'm hoping once I do I'll be able to run while watching sports. Watching sports I'm usually either jumping up and down (if it's a team I really care about) or multi-tasking (cleaning, etc) so I'm hoping it doesn't trigger that need to sit.

Sabine_Stroehm

Both. Depends on the weather, time, my mood...if I want to lift... but all things being equal? outside.

lyttlewon

I like to run outside but I notice I sustain myself better on the treadmill.

liss125

Outside. I feel better afterwards, being out in the sunshine and all. Also, I work harder because people can see me My treadmill is in my basement so it's a little depressing. I find myself watching the clock the entire time.

avir8

I prefer to run outside, get a change of scenery, and have some alone time. Although the gym's treadmills have TVs, which come in handy when there's a b-ball game on, other than that, I feel you train better and get better conditioning from running outside doing hills, different terrains, and changing your speed at any given moment

Sixalicious

Outside. I hate to hear people running on the treadmill so I just don't do it.

_canuckrunner_

Outside any day of the week! I sold my treadmill because I hated it so much. I run outside all year, I initially thought I'd hate it in the winter (I live in northern Canada) but it turns out I love it - nothing like running on freshly fallen snow!

klewlis

my shin splints act up when i run outside, but not on a treadmill.

that's just a conditioning thing. If you keep at it, it will get better. It's because your stride and motions are different outside (and much more natural). Also make sure that your calves aren't super tight... tight calves cause shin splints (stretch and strengthen as needed!).

As for the OP, I choose trail running! Way more fun than either roads or dreadmills, and a much better whole-body workout.

YoshiZelda

I prefer on the treadmill. I hate jiggling in public.

birdieaz

Outside 100%, I just can't do the treadmill. Every minute seems to take 5x longer and no matter what distraction I've tried to use, its boring.

jenilla1

I will not run on concrete (injuries happen there) and I do not run on asphalt unless I'm in a race and that's part of the course. Nothing is more demotivating to me than running along a road or in a neighborhood. I don't need perverts catcalling me and I prefer natural scenery. I live near a nature preserve so I'm pretty lucky. I prefer dirt trails for long runs (5 plus miles) in good weather. I run on treadmills for short runs (under 5 miles) when it's too hot or the trails are closed for rain. I can't run for more than an hour on a treadmill or I will go insane from the boredom. I can run forever outside, though!

workshy000

Treadmill because I tend to trip on pavement and I like having temperature control. I think outside would be more interesting and challenging but I'm not fit enough. I don't get bored when I have my mp3 player with me, I'd probably not even get on it without music to spur me on.

volamena

I prefer running outside! you've got fresh air and scenery and there's no need for a membership to an expensive gym...

erin8010

Good morning!

Out door running is good as you are always going up and down hills (even if they are small), so you will be working more of the leg and bottom muscles.
I also think you run at a pace more suited to you and are not restricted or confused by the machines speeds.

If you're on a treadmill I would recommend running on a minimum 0.5 incline as outdoors is not flat.

I love running outside but sometimes you have to look at your lifestyle, I have just bought a Treadmill as I have 3 children and struggle to get out when my partner works, I want to run in the Leics half marathon in Oct and If I don't get the training in it will be a struggle!!

That's a goal I want to keep!

jamifaith

^i agree that lifestyle plays a huge part. When i first discovered my love-hate relationship with running it was when i started running outdoors. it was the first time that i realized that i CAN run more than 1-2 miles at a time. But i discovered this because I would run my path (which was two miles) get to the end of it and want to quit, but crap at that point im 2 miles away from home and I can't just quit, i actually have to run home.
Currently, I live in a place where I honestly have no idea where to even go running outside. I'd have to walk through the city or take a subway to get to a nice scenic place to run, and that just doesn't sound nice at all. Hubby is going to try and help me find somewhere to run down by the river, but the river is a good 10 minute drive away, and the gym is only a 2 minute walk away, so I stick to the treadmill.

ninpiggy

I'm still a little nervous about running in public. When I run outside it is usually at night due to my work schedule and because I don't want to run in public, but running alone at night in the city is a bit dangerous so I mostly stick to running on a treadmill. If my fiance comes with me, I enjoy running outside. I recently found a running trail that I'm pretty excited about but again, I don't want to run it alone.

blackcoffeeandcherrypie

Treadmill! I have never been able to run outside, even as a child. I would get leg pains and have to stop. Buying a treadmill and using it at home has taught me to pace myself and that I can go for much longer distances and times than I thought. I can gasp and sweat in private and no one will be looking at me or laughing. Plus it's much easier on my dodgy ankles. I'm sure running outside is lovely but for the less fit, I think treadmill is easier. I don't find it boring, I really enjoy it and I have my music to enjoy :-)

chicbuc

I enjoy running outside, but I don't have anywhere to run without driving somewhere. I run in the morning, and I'm too scared to run down my rural roads with no street lights in the dark. I got out of the habit of running because of that and the fact that I was having a hard time making myself stop at the gym on the way home from work. My husband just bought me a cheap treadmill yesterday, and I'm really excited about getting back to running! Today was a lifting day, so I used it to warm up and cool down, but tomorrow will be a good run! I'm so excited I might even jump on it for a quick run in an hour or so...lol.

So, the answer to your questions is outside if feasible, but treadmill works just fine.

SkinnyChemicals

Inside, because you can't watch Maury when outside.