Outside running or treadmill

Weight loss is down to the calorie deficit so it's what works for you how you create it (be it food or exercise). I run outside because I love to run. I personally cannot think of anything worse than running on a treadmill. If you just want to burn calories you can find other ways that will burn more in a shorter period of time than running outside. I personally work on the theory that the only exercise that will work is one you enjoy and you will stick to.

I don't know about the different calorie burn. However, what I was told by 2 doctors is when you run on a treadmill you are always putting the same shock and pressure on you knees throughout the entire workout as the platform you are running on does not change. Outside the ground has various plateau with each step therefore the wear and tear on your knees as well as other joints is not constant and repetitive. Also on a side note. If you enjoy running outside, do what you enjoy.

Run outside if you like it. Get off road and hit some trails somewhere, hiking and biking trails are good for this. Running on trails activates muscles not usually trained in normal road running and you get the whole being in nature thing. Also you can do HIIT training outside.

If you want to do HIIT training outside - DO IT! There are a ton of apps that you can use while training outside

I do both. Outdoor running definitely burns more calories, and is more interesting. But on inclement days I do like to run intervals on the treadmill. Its easier to specify speed and timing on the treadmill.

I certainly sweat much more on a treadmill... but only, I think, because I don't have a breeze cooling me off! Living in England, I often get a free shower during outside runs, too.

I do both.

When I don't have someone to watch the kids in the evenings so I can run, I'll run on the treadmill. Also, nasty windchills and knee deep snowfall will force me inside too.

But, I love it outside way more - probably because I actually have a sense of accomplishment from going from point A to point B etc. that the treadmill doesn't offer.

I only run on treadmills when it's too cold to run outdoors. But now that it's warm out (Georgia) I run outdoors.

I like to do interval running. I use an app called RunKeeper. You can set up your own intervals and plug in your headphones, listen to music, and then the app will speak over your music telling you to switch to the next interval.

For example, run fast for 30 secs, walk for 1 minute, and you can repeat that for however long you like. You can create your own intervals and run outdoors that way.

Best of luck,
Joanna

Why one or the other?

Personally, my preference is to run outside. I work in an office and running is my chance to get outside and move around. And, there are a variety of different outside running workouts. Speed/sprints, tempo, hill repeats and long runs are all part of a good training plan.

This is not to say I do not hit up the gym.

Running is hard on the body and cross training of some sort is key to avoiding injury. So, I try and get in a weights/resistance workout a couple times per week. This can be weights, yoga or just simple body weight calisthenics.

If you enjoy running but getting out side regularly does not fit. Do both! Most treadmills have pre-set programs that will give you a real workout.

The one critical thing is to do what you can to make your workouts fun. It is way easier to maintain an exercise regime if the experience is positive.

So what ever you chose. Have fun!

Do what you enjoy! No need to stick with one or the other...

I personally hate the treadmill. I'm bored just looking at them. But sometimes it's necessary. I try to run outside as much as possible. I believe the thing that matters is energy exertion, not how you do it.

I don't know about different burns but I much prefer running outside. Other than the exercise I need it also gives me a good dose of fresh air and I find it a great way to start the day.

During the winter I did run on a treadmill and found myself a lot less motivated to do it. So, whatever works for you.

Do what makes you happy. The important thing to focus on is burning calories to achieve your weight loss goals, and no matter the exercise the intensity is what determines how much calories you burn. I personally find that the elliptical helps me burn more calories.

I like the Treadmill/elliptical because I can hook up my phone and watch TV or listen to music while I workout. I like running but typically I use this time in the afternoon to watch TV and relax after work. My workout time is also my relaxing time.

I've started using the elliptical more in the last few months because I was worried about my knees and other joints and wanted to reduce the impact from the Treadmill. The Treadmill isn't bad, but maybe it couldn't hurt to mix it up with different cardio machines. If you ever want to run in a 5 or 10k I'd highly recommend mixing in some outdoors running time into your routine, even if you only do it 1 a week or twice a month. Running on a Tredmil vs running outside is totally different.

One caution I'd like offer against outside running. It takes some discipline to adjust your speed / intensity to make sure you are getting in a good workout. Running outside isn't bad, but on a tredmil you can select the speed which stays constant and most machines even have heart rate monitors attached. I suggest using a heart rate monitor when your running outside to 1. keep you honest about your intensity but so that you also don't burn yourself out by going too fast.

Weight loss can be done without exercise...its almost all about what you eat. Calories burned are just more you get to eat.

That being said....ALWAYS chose the thing you enjoy doing more, because you aren't going to keep up with something you don't like :happy:

Trying to figure out what is best, I have been running for about 2 months now, at first i just ran outside then someone told me to do HIIT on the treadmill, so i decided to give it a go, it was hard work and I seemed to burn up more of a sweat with this, however I enjoy outdoor running more but I know doing the HIIT will probably give better results... Is this the case or will I still lose the same amount of weight running outside!!! Helppppppppp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HIIT has some benefits that are complementary to your moderate intensity and higher intensity sessions, there is no ONE TRUE WAY(tm)

HIIT is time efficient, but if you don't have a solid base then it's not going to make the same gains that it will do if used in conjunction with steady state moderate intensity and tempo sessions.

Notwithstanidng that the wider benefits of running outside far outweigh the purgatory that is the dreadmill. I do my highest intensity sessions on pavement, loathe running on a machine.