Treadmill vs outdoor running

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  • bpotts44
    bpotts44 Posts: 1,066 Member
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    Treadmill is much easier. Move the incline to 1% if you want to simulate outdoors. Still not the same, but closer.

    Running outside should not be giving you shin splints in five minutes, however. I'd say you need new shoes.

    Running outside made me realize that I do need new shoes! I went inside, got on the treadmill, and had zero shin splints. I've also heard that the treadmill is easier on joints/less impact? Seems to be understandable with my shin splint incident!

    Treadmills are definitely easier. In terms of impact your body should be able to compensate. I have switched to bare foot or minimalist running and my joints all feel much better. If you are impacting too hard try to shorten and quicken your stride, lean a little forward, and land with your feet flat and not on your heels.
  • santini1975
    santini1975 Posts: 175 Member
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    I don't run on concrete. The impact kills my knees. Also I always injure my ankles dodging pot holes, or roll my ankle stepping on a rock or twig. Forget it.
  • daj150
    daj150 Posts: 815 Member
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    Running on a treadmill vs running outside is 2 different things. When you are running outside, you are propelling yourself forward by moving your legs. On a treadmill, the ground is moving and you are forcing yourself to stay in place. This works different muscles and to a certain degree, the form is slightly different. I recommend going to runner's world or various health sites to learn more about this.

    Although you can train to run outdoor races on a treadmill, you cannot actually simulate an outdoor run by just increase incline; unless your whole outside run is running up a mountain.

    In regards to your shin splints, there a ton of possible reasons for them. Instead of me listing them and you self diagnosing the issue, I recommend going to a running store or sports doctor to be properly fitted for shoes and to have your form looked at.

    One of the most common culprits of going from indoor to outdoor running is that people are not used to going from a flat cushoined surface of a treadmill to a rough and anything but flat outdoor surface. A good way to transition to outdoor running is to try and start by running on a track. This will give you the flat surface you like, but usually your stride will increase due to not being restricted by the treadmill width and length...this can cause your form to alter, which causes injuries. Once you get accustomed to the track, hit the roads. OR...there are tons of fitness articles that give a simple or detailed ways to transition without injury. Good luck!

    ^^

    I agree...I envy you guys that have nice weather all year. I have to switch between treadmill and outdoor running since I'm in the Midwest. It's definitely an adjustment when I switch.

    I have cold weather gear so I can run in weather down to about 10° F. Below that and it just is not worth it. Although I am doing treadmill right now since I am trying to recover my knees from a recent re-injury, not related to running.

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