Is running on the treadmill worth it?

Treadmills def serve their purpose. Though running outside is better.

Depends my back isint the best so treadmill is kinder outside surface is too hard and could cause injury! Ive worked up to 5k so its all progress!

I hate road running. I've run 5k's, 10k's and the like, but I still hate it. I always train on a treadmill. There is usually more calories to be lost running on the road, especially here in San Fran with all the hills, but you need to do what you WILL DO consistently. If that means running at 5mph on a treadmill, then do that.

That. If I could only run outside, I wouldn't run anywhere near as often. I do go outside every now and then for the challenge, but I don't enjoy it. A lot of times when I do it outside, my allergies act up or my shins start hurting. Also, I hate being out in the sun. I live in San Diego and hate the sun. Woe is me. :laugh:

When I started running, I had to keep my treadmill at a 2.5 incline or it would shut off. When I did my first 5k race, I was able to do it 5 minutes faster than i'd ever been able to do it on the treadmill. I'm fairly certain that was because of the incline I had to keep it at. So to answer your question, yes, I think it is.

Running on a treadmill allows you to regulate your pace much better and you can build up on this steadily over the weeks. I personally though prefer cycling and started doing 3-4 miles a day and now am doing 15-20 miles with a once a week ride of around 35-40 miles.

Most importantly think of your end goal and don't worry about other people and what they think.

Good luck.

All exercise is considered 'good' exercise to me! The treadmill is fine if that's where you feel comfortable... if you really want to get you heart pumping and the calories burning, have a look at 'interval training'. Endurance training is good if your goal is to be able to run for a certain amount of time or distance at a particular pace, but keep in mind your body will eventually get used to this and calories that you burn will be less and less over time. Keep your body guessing and burning lots of calories with occasional HIIT (high intensity interval training) too!

Running an hour a day is quite impressive for a beginner. It will definitely make you fitter and healthier regardless of the fact that it's done on a treadmill. Unfit people can't do that, so you've already made lots of progress.

I'm most drawn to the bit where you said you're embarrassed to run outdoors. Shuck that fit.

You're running. You're a runner. Anyone not running is not even allowed to gaze upon your magnificence as you prowl across the savannah, lest you mistake them for prey.

The vast majority of people who will see you running will be proud of you. You may inspire someone, someone you don't even realize or may never meet.

this post.

One of the first days I started running on the local rails-to-trails I weighed mabye 15-20 lbs more than I do now. I'm running and there's this rather big black guy out walking next to his daughter on a tiny bike with training wheels (soooooo damned cute. He sees me coming, and says "hey, how far are you running?" I tell him 4 miles, and he says "Man, you are a ROCK STAR, keep it up!"

Totally made me day :bigsmile:

I'm most drawn to the bit where you said you're embarrassed to run outdoors. Shuck that fit.

You're running. You're a runner. Anyone not running is not even allowed to gaze upon your magnificence as you prowl across the savannah, lest you mistake them for prey.

The vast majority of people who will see you running will be proud of you. You may inspire someone, someone you don't even realize or may never meet.

this. You've inspired me

Depends on what your end goal is. Cardio in any form will burn calories. Personally, I find the treadmill deceptive. I can run 4 miles on the treadmill, but on pavement it's a feat for me to run 1.5 miles straight through. That being said, I always feel like I experience a good work out on the treadmill, but I notice muscle fatigue more on the road because of the pavement, etc.

this is my experience as well... I have been running on the treadmill and outside for five months, outside is much harder and more challenging.. so much that I prefer my treadmill. I still get a good w/o either way.

I have friends that train in the winter on treadmill for half marathons since they live up north in the cold midwest and do just fine.

And you are doing great if running an hour at time at that speed just starting out.

I'd do some cross training too. And when on the treadmill, you can do intervals and increse the incline to get a better cal burn.

Resistance training > cardio. Cardio is unnecessary. And there's 100 reasons why.

It may not be good for u, or maybe even some others, but its good for me!! I feel better, more energized, it helps my severe mitral valve prolapse symptoms, relieves stress, burns a lot of calories, improves endurance, relieves my back pain from scoliosis and arthritis... Plus, I run intervals on a treadmill b/w strength training sets to keep my HR up and burn more calories. But to each his or her own :happy:

I run on a treadmill. Congrats on being able to run 5.0 for an hr! Maybe I will be able to do that eventually... I started C25K again. And I'm about to start week 5 of 8 weeks. I have been running on a treadmill because of the heat here, my asthma and pine pollen allergy and back issues (rods in my back due to scoliosis). Plus, I also love to run intervals b/w strength sets at my gym. However, I'm going to start running outside this coming week though because I'm going to be running in a 5k soon and need to run outside at least once a week to get used to the surface.

Also, remember not all surfaces outside are equal. Asphalt running is the hardest on ur joints, trail running is more difficult because of balance, and it depends on hills... The easiest outside surface to run on is the rubber material that most outdoor tracks are made of. You can usually find those at your local high school.

WOW...if you are just starting and can run at 5 MPH for an hour...that is IMPRESSIVE!! I don't care if it is on a treadmill, it is still very impressive. Way to go!

I agree with this!

Resistance training does all those things. It also burns more calories than cardio even after you stop working out as recovery is an anabolic and energy using process. Energy expenditure form cardio begins and ends with the power button (HIIT is an exception). Increased lean body mass increases BMR, stimulates GH/IGF release, creates insulin sensitivity through AMPK release especially post workout, improves bone density, positively affects sex hormone balance... and sex life.

It's not BAD to do cardio, just not necessary unless you're an athlete is a highly cardio based sport like running or biking. I only ever do cardio prior to showtime to bring up conditioning on hold my breath that long.

I do HIIT as well. I do it running, but I know others do another form of HIIT cardio. I just mix up what my w/o is to keep from getting bored, and alternate primary muscles every other day for muscle recovery. I'm also training for a 5k. I don't plan on being a distance runner. This is just one of those goals I want to reach.

This is just my opinion based off what I have read into and been told by others.

First- You're being active, so automatically yes, it will do something for you compared to sitting and watching tv. If you are planning to bump it up you should have some good results so long as you're watching your food intake as well. But you will get an even better result adding some resistance training and strength training (even if it's light).

There is a difference from what I have read about running on a treadmill vs. outside and I have felt it before. I could run further on a treadmil than I could outside, not sure as to the science as why, but I suppose it's the resistance from wind and dirt vs running in place basically. BUT the treadmil is a good start. It will assist you in building up endurance, but the endurance you build on the treadmil may not go AS far on the pavement. It will help.

Honestly, who cares what people think about you running in your neighborhood. They're watching you get healthy, while they sit and do nothing. So what? It's better to be active and trying then giving up and doing nothing. If weather gets bad though, the treadmil is good just to keep you busy so you don't lose everything you worked for.

Again, this is just my personal opinion. But either way, you're being active and that's what counts the most.