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Treadmill vs. Outside Running

Monroe121
Monroe121 Posts: 358 Member
edited February 4 in Fitness and Exercise
I run an hour to an hour 1/2 outside. Does it have the same effect if I run the same time on the treadmill? Or is it about distance?

Replies

  • TheGymGypsy
    TheGymGypsy Posts: 1,023 Member
    Treadmill running is never going to be exactly the same as running outside because on the ground you are using your own momentum, on the treadmill the belt is moving for you so you don't have to push off. It is pretty close though if you set the incline up 1-2%
  • Monroe121
    Monroe121 Posts: 358 Member
    Treadmill running is never going to be exactly the same as running outside because on the ground you are using your own momentum, on the treadmill the belt is moving for you so you don't have to push off. It is pretty close though if you set the incline up 1-2%

    Thank you! I usually incline it a little! Hmmmmm!
  • bkyoun
    bkyoun Posts: 371 Member
    I like to set the incline to 10 on the treadmill so I have to work harder. When outside, it depends on what surface you are running on and if you have hills or it is flat.
  • FitCanuckChick
    FitCanuckChick Posts: 240 Member
    Treadmill running is never going to be exactly the same as running outside because on the ground you are using your own momentum, on the treadmill the belt is moving for you so you don't have to push off. It is pretty close though if you set the incline up 1-2%
    Great tip. I am conditioning mainly on the treadmill through the -40 weather months this winter so when I begin training for my first full marathon in the early spring I can hit the ground running (pun intended). Gonna start upping the incline.
  • WakkoW
    WakkoW Posts: 567 Member
    I have to say, that upping the incline really does work. Running outside actually seams easier because you aren't always running uphill. And you even get to run at a decline at times. Then you can really fly!

    That being said, your treadmill times will still most likely be faster than your outdoor times, but not by all that much.

    When I'm on the treadmill, I vary the incline. If I'm going a slower pace (9-10 min/miles), I will have it set to 4 or 5 percent (or even higher depending on how I'm feeling and the workout I'm after). The faster I get the lower the incline is, but I never have it lower than 1%.
  • dwh77tx
    dwh77tx Posts: 513 Member
    I can't run on the treadmill- it hurts my knees and shins. But I do great outside!
  • PonyTailedLoser
    PonyTailedLoser Posts: 315 Member
    This post helped me :)
This discussion has been closed.

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