Treadmill or Outside

It gets well over 100 degrees here during the summer.... daytime is treadmill time.

Outside on the dirt or grass is easier on your feet, I found out the hard way; concrete & treadmill = heel spurs.
Was wearing Nike's also.

Although a treadmill is easier I find running outside to be ideal to really improve your cardio. You find goals as you run to your next point where staring at screen can be tough. I've lost more weight running outside for sure~ !

It depends on what you're trying to accomplish. I completed the C25K on a treadmill so I am able to run for 40-45 mins without stopping. When I was able to run for 15-20 mins without stopping, I tried to run outside and nearly died. It was a struggle to run even for 5 mins. I decided to start the program over but outside and I'm currently on week 4 and it's very challenging and I'm only running for 4 and walking for 1.

Its funny that, thats one thing i prefer about the treadmill. I can run non stop on the treadmill for 50 mins ut not a chance in hell could i do that long outdoors lol

I don't understand what you mean by "better".

Outside is dependent on the environment you're in. If you live near a crackhouse or on a 50MPH road with no sidewalk, then perhaps you should explore the joys of treadmill running. Unless of course your local gym is located in said crackhouse.

If you live in an idyllic subdivision or (like me) in a rural area with miles of beautiful road and tons of woodsy trails, then you might want to consider outside.

Seriously, there are advantages and disadvantages to either. Outside, you have scenery and you're actually going somewhere, which is a plus, and you have absolute control over your speed.

On the other hand, you have rain/snow/inclement weather which may interfere with or prevent your workouts, insects, the need to carry water, and possibly large metal objects with impatient and inattentive people operating them (or animals if you are in a more rural setting). And if you hurt yourself 3 miles from home, you're three miles from home and hurt.

In the gym, you usually have some form of temperature control, generally rain/snow-free, the ability to keep water in a cupholder, the ability to adjust your terrain and get precisely the workout you want.

On the other hand, there can be a line for the treadmill, and your speed can only be adjusted artificially in increments, you're using someone else's shower so stock up on athlete's foot spray.

I prefer to run outside as much as possible. I use the treadmill on my strength training days, since I do HIITS on the same day and I find them much easier with a treadmill as opposed to measuring my distance or constantly looking at my watch.

Now, this is so true! I absolutely love going outside, BUT by the time I get half way to my running destination I feel the need to turn back around!

I think it's a matter of preference. I can go longer and a further distance on the treadmill based on my stubbornness but I prefer going outside. My reasoning is that on the treadmill I can hit stop and be done with it after a set amount of time. When I'm outside I like the change of scenery, plus when I'm 3 miles from home I still need to get home and whether it's by walking, jogging or crawling, stopping isn't an option.

I think outside is better, since you're running with your own speed and not a machines speed.

I would like to run outside, however I can not pace myself to save the life of me, so I stick with the treadmill.

what do you mean by "better"?

which one burns more calories, which one actually feels better, which one is better for weightloss?

tie

Outside! Being a part of the great outdoors is a huge part of why I love running

i firmly believe in no way can a treadmill be on par with outdoor running.

I say this because I would run "two miles" on a treadmill on the regular when i was in college. When I decided on a sunny day to do the two miles outside...it was in no way comparable. Def. harder. Def. more work. Def. more calories burned when you are actually using your leg strength to force your body mass to move through actual space and actually accellerate your body mass.

Both have their place. I started on my treadmill. I was told how much harder it would be running outside. When I finally did try it, it was slightly harder, but not much (as long as you watch your pace, that is). I find running outside more enjoyable over all, and the first couple of times i was actually sore, which never happens on the treadmill, but the treadmill is awesome to have too. I still use it, because I can't get out every time I want to run or walk. I have three kids that need supervision and running with them is downright torturous. Or, I workout after they're in bed (and therefore can't leave the house because hubby isn't usually home).

I finally have my iFit module on my treadmill working properly too. I can now watch Google Street view shots of my runs that I set up on the website. I went walking through downtown Seoul the other night, reliving our trip last year. It was a bit glitchy, but in general, pretty awesome!

It's interesting to read these responses because I find it way easier to physically run outside than on the treadmill. I get SO bored on the treadmill, even though I try to distract myself with TV/music.

Seeing other runners in the park outside also motivates me to keep going...If they can do it, so can I! I do have a GPS-enabled heart rate monitor that tracks my calories, distance and most importantly to me, pace. This helps me be more consistent in my speed throughout the whole workout.

Outside, never been on a treadmill and I can't think of a reason to get on one. If the weather is too bad to run outside I rechedule my run.