Is It Better to Run Outside or On a Treadmill?

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Since treadmills started to be used regularly people have wondered if it is better to run outside or on a treadmill. The answer to that question is not as simple as you may think. In some instances a treadmill is better and in other instances it is better to run outside. It isn’t a question of whether or not it is good to use a treadmill at all. Running on a treadmill is, obviously, better than not running at all. As with anything, there are pros and cons to using a treadmill.

Pros

Getting Exercise

When it comes to physical fitness it is better to get some exercise than none. For various reasons some people cannot run in their neighborhoods so using a treadmill allows them to still go running. Running is one of the best forms of exercise and a treadmill is one of the only pieces of exercise equipment that gives a full weight bearing workout.

A Treadmill Allows You to Control The Workout and Can be set for Pace Training

When calibrated right you can set your speed and run a set amount of time. The treadmill can be set to an incline to increase your workout and can be set to flat ground to give an easier workout. This is helpful on days that you aren’t feeling well and don’t feel up to doing your usual run but still want to get a workout. This is a great way to do pace training; as long as the treadmill is calibrated correctly you can set a specific speed and learn to stay at that speed.

Available Year Round

You can go running on a treadmill in all seasons and through any weather, and unless you place the treadmill on your patio you don’t have to worry about getting rained out. Snow and other conditions that may make it hard to be motivated to run aren’t a problem either. Depending on the equipment you’re using, you can even go running bare foot if you want to; if you tried running bare foot outdoors you are most likely going to get injured.

Easier On Your Body

A treadmill works as a slight shock absorber versus running outdoors on the road. This keeps the impact on your body from running to a minimum. You don’t have to stop and start for vehicles, pedestrians, barking dogs and other obstacles. You don’t get chased by dogs and bitten very often either, and if you do you know it’s time to take your dog for a walk or else get a new dog.

Correct Posture and Form

Running on a treadmill in a gym or at home where there are mirrors available allows you to see your form and correct your posture. Runners who are training for an event can use a treadmill as a learning tool. Watching your form in a mirror allows you to critique your style and feel what the proper form feels like. It is much easier to make corrections when you can see and feel what each change you make is doing to your overall form.

Cons

Calibration Can Be Off

While it is great to use a treadmill at a preset pace for a specific distance not all treadmills are calibrated correctly. Many people mention that they can easily run eight or ten miles on their treadmill daily but when they try running outdoors they can’t make it five miles. Another frequently heard complaint is that it takes twice the time outdoors to run two-thirds the distance that can be covered on the treadmill. This is a sign that the treadmill isn’t calibrated correctly. You can get exercise running on a treadmill that isn’t calibrated correctly but it is difficult to tell how good of a workout you are really getting.

Lack Of Air Resistance

When you run outdoors you have air resistance, this makes it a little harder to run and increases your workout slightly. For some people this is a big perk and they really feel as though treadmills are lacking in this area. The real problem you will find with the lack of air resistance may not be the missed workout but the missed opportunity for natural cooling. Sweat cools the body as the air hits it, running usually causes a breeze and you cool quickly. Artificial running doesn’t cause a breeze and you can overheat and dehydrate by sweating profusely to cool off while running indoors. If you place a fan in the room it can help you to keep from getting too hot while working out.

Limited Stride

While you are on the treadmill there is a limited amount of space and so your stride is going to be limited. The belt pulls your legs and your job is to move them back into place. The area you can move along is limited to the belt, you cannot step anywhere else. This limits your stride. For people with shorter legs it is possible that the limited stride won’t be noticed but for taller people this can be a problem.

Artificially Smooth Surface

When you run outdoors you have obstacles to overcome. There are a potholes and rocks; bumps and hills; twists, curves and many other obstacles that you have to overcome. On the treadmill you have a smooth surface. This surface doesn’t have any dips, cracks, or deviations at all. You always have to take the exact same steps; you don’t have to worry about pebbles. The artificially smooth surface can make it difficult to deal with other types of terrain if you train exclusively on a treadmill.

Easily Fatigued

People who train exclusively on a treadmill can easily get fatigued when they have to deal with the obstacles that are available when running outdoors. Running on a treadmill is constant, you don’t have to start and stop for interruptions such as traffic and stoplights. Changing your stride, getting used to wind resistance and having to propel your body on your own instead of just having to move your feet from behind you back to the front of the conveyer belt can tire you quickly if you aren’t used to doing all of that work.

Boredom

The biggest problem with running on a treadmill instead of running outdoors is boredom. When you run outdoors you have to pay attention to your environment. Running indoors can get boring as you don’t go anywhere. The scenery doesn’t change; it is like moving your feet and getting nowhere.

Whether it is better to run outside or on a treadmill depends on your personal goals. If you are training for a race you may want to be exposed to the elements occasionally. You are going to want to be able to pace yourself and be able to deal with different types of terrain. If you are motivated better by changing scenery and the ability to see other people while you are running you may want to run outdoors. If you are looking for some exercise and you aren’t worried about the downfalls of a treadmill then running indoors could be a great option for you.