Treadmill vs. Running Outside

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  • shoyrob
    shoyrob Posts: 25
    I prefer the treadmill for my runs, and outdoors for power walking. It's hard for me to control my breathing while I'm outdoors running for some reason. My chest get tight and I have a hard time. But I can run on the treadmill all day everyday. But power walks I love the outdoors.
  • gmpearson
    gmpearson Posts: 138 Member
    I prefer outside as well for all reasons mentioned above, but I still run on a TM at least 2-3 times per week and usually 3-4 miles.

    One reason for TM running that has not been mentioned (or I overlooked it) is speed and interval training. With a treadmill, you can adjust your speed up and down to accommodate an interval/Fartlek workout or just do some speed training. Now, since you are starting out, I will relay the wisdom that I have heard many times before -- do NOT start speed training until you are comfortably running more than 20-25 miles per week.

    Others have mentioned this, but I am a big fan of changing up my surface for running. I run 2-3 times a week outside on streets, which gives me a variety of conditions to run in, but the pavement is tough. I run 2-3 times a week on a TM with some cushioning, which is easier on my knees/hips - but I DO feel confined. I try to run on an oval indoor track at least once a week, which is GREAT on my knees/hips. The problem is that I abuse my body by running sprint intervals, usually after a heavy weight session.

    Whatever you decide, just RUN!!! If you are comfortable on the TM, then run on it! You'll still be able to complete that HM, many people do. Give yourself ample time to train for this race though!

    Greg
  • monkeefun
    monkeefun Posts: 271 Member
    Thanks for the input everyone! I do think I'm going to suck it up and go outside :). It's a pain because I work a ton of hours every week, and the only places to really get a good jog in without playing in traffic involve another drive, so it will probably be a challenge some days ( I do better when I can just suit up and DO IT!), but I've been talking to people too, and I think I may have a part time jogging buddy lined up besides. I am sold on running outdoors though - I do like my treadmill but it can be boring. Huzzah! Thank you everyone! :)
  • angel79202
    angel79202 Posts: 1,012 Member
    I run at this cool state park with trails!
  • khagador
    khagador Posts: 175 Member
    Set your treadmill to 1% minimum. Try to do a hill interval session every week to replicate course hills and to build strength, stamina, and foot turnover speed.

    Run outdoors as much as possible as long as it's safe.
  • TheNewDoug
    TheNewDoug Posts: 56
    Outside I only run on trails because I am scared to death of traffic. Indoors I have a Sole F85 that I set to an incline of 2 and that comes pretty close to the way pavement feels.
  • Jojo1859
    Jojo1859 Posts: 58 Member
    I personally love being outside with the sun and fresh air, but it tears my shoes up pretty fast.
  • KeepOnMoving
    KeepOnMoving Posts: 383 Member
    I've been told that your physical stance is not the same running outside as running on treadmill. Your running habits should be "running proper form," running outdoors. Occasionally running on the treadmill is okay on days of storms and lightening. Both are good for just general exercise. I would run outdoors mostly to train for marathon.
  • SusanleeBee
    SusanleeBee Posts: 144 Member
    I much prefer the treadmill. I have a pretty severe hip tilt, and tend to trip on surfaces that are the tiniest bit uneven. If there are rocks and holes around, I might as well call an ambulance ahead of time, because I am going to go down, hard!

    Plus, my treadmill has a fan, so i never feel sweaty gross face, even when the rest of me is drenched.

    That said, if you're training to run outside, you should probably train outside, at least part of the time.
  • OCGeoff
    OCGeoff Posts: 10
    Probably covered sufficiently, but starting with the treadmill and transitioning to the outdoors could be the best way to go. In the past, running outside had really messed up my knees, but I've been doing great treadmill action for awhile now without any overt pain. Some people are just not built to run outside I think, and using alternative forms of exercise is just as important. Bests of luck
  • JanieJack
    JanieJack Posts: 3,831 Member
    Like everyone else, I'd recommend running outdoors as much as possible. HOWEVER I travel a lot and I *know* that's not always feasible. Weather, time of day/night I get a chance to run, and sometimes being in a bad area can make a treadmill the best thing that ever happened to my training plan. Also, sometimes you get to an age where your joints can only handle so much, and a treadmill can help you build up the 2 hours or so of endurance needed for a half with less stress to your joints as running out on concrete.

    I trained for my first 10 mile race on a treadmill because my son was almost 1 but still nursing and I couldn't leave him for longer than an hour or two. I lived in a bad area of town, so to drive somewhere safe to run was just not gonna work.

    If you're gonna train on the treadmill, my biggest suggestion is to up the incline to at least 1% if not a little more. Running on a treadmill at 0% is actually easier than running outside. I currently use 2% on my treadmill and when I run outside it's easier to keep my desired pace.
  • monkeefun
    monkeefun Posts: 271 Member
    So this week, I've taken to using both. I've found a few decent places to run, and I've started using them! I love it outdoors, even if I have to avoid getting hit by cars or have to avoid hitting other pedestrians ;-). And my feet tend to hurt a lot more on the treadmill, so I'm planning on trying to use that only on days I'm short on time - otherwise I'm hoping to get my butt outside. I'm soooo slow (my best time is 15:25 for a mile so far, using intervals because I have a hard time keeping the stamina going for any length of time), but I'll get there. I've started researching a bunch of 5Ks, too, and I'm hoping to get going with some soon! I had no idea there were as many around here as there are :-P. Yay! I'll be a runner yet ;-)
  • tzaccario
    tzaccario Posts: 53
    So this week, I've taken to using both. I've found a few decent places to run, and I've started using them! I love it outdoors, even if I have to avoid getting hit by cars or have to avoid hitting other pedestrians ;-). And my feet tend to hurt a lot more on the treadmill, so I'm planning on trying to use that only on days I'm short on time - otherwise I'm hoping to get my butt outside. I'm soooo slow (my best time is 15:25 for a mile so far, using intervals because I have a hard time keeping the stamina going for any length of time), but I'll get there. I've started researching a bunch of 5Ks, too, and I'm hoping to get going with some soon! I had no idea there were as many around here as there are :-P. Yay! I'll be a runner yet ;-)

    Way to go!!! Getting outside is great, I recently just added jogging between my normal biking days and its fun. With good shoes, and good technique its something your body can get used to and its WAY more enjoyable then staring down at the screen of the treadmill.
  • braves20111
    braves20111 Posts: 48 Member
    On a treadmill the surface is moving therefore you are not propelling yourself forward, outside you are propelling yourself forward with every stride, running on a treadmill can impact your form negatively and also keep you from developing a good pace in your head which is very important for road racing , moral of the story i'd go outside , good luck!

    I run on a treadmill and outside and I dont see anything different with form. that really makes no sense. I like the treadmill causeI know my speed and can increase it and know what I am doing. I like outside because of scenery and its different but all and all i find them the same. yes the pavement will have more of an effect on your knees but I believe it is worth it. as for form it isnt gonna change from running inside or outside sorry but I dont know where you got that from

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