Treadmill

[sonic1]

Hi how come I find it a lot easier to run on a treadmill than outside

[Beads Graduate]

It's dead flat, lovely surface, no bends, no inclines (or not major ones), speed is controlled so no going too fast, umm, can't think of any others off hand.

But you're still lapping the person on the couch, still getting out there (even if out there is the shed at the bottom of the garden where my 'mill is). If you want to run outside, (easier, coz less boring), then take it slow, the same way the programme is designed. Ease into it gradually and you'll get there. Have fun!

[sonic1 in reply to Beads]

Thank you

[Bazza1234 Graduate in reply to sonic1]

Hmm -- I don't know about treadmills being "easier". I played with one on a cruiseship recently and lasted about 5 minutes before i decided it was too "difficult". There was a bit of very slight movement of the ship which affected my balance -- but I felt that I was "out of control" - didn't like it at all.. Give me a nice hard solid pavement any day!!

[Janglyshe Graduate in reply to Bazza1234]

They are "interesting" on cruise ships as I did not take the motion on the ocean into account when setting my speed at 8km/h and fell off backwards and banged my head.

[Hidden]

I haven't run on a treadmill for yonks, but I used to find it easier too, I think because there is a slight "give" unlike the pavement which is rock hard. Mind you, last time I used one I trod on my shoe lace and was propelled backwards at great speed right across the gym lol!

[AncientMum Graduate]

I've been advised to use a treadmill when I start running again because it's easier on the joints. Apparently, if you set the gradient to 1%, it's equivalent to running on a flat road. 2% is like running on grass.

[baronblaze]

It does use a different muscle group so those muscles can be accustomed to the running. Outside your stride is different and more variable as it naturally changes for inclination, speed and exhaustion. Your body movement is also different when running outside as you tend to use more muscle groups. If you spend the next month only running outside then run on the treadmill you will probably find the treadmill probably more difficult but certainly a lot more mundane.

[Nilzed]

The treadmill also gives you that perfectly steady pace, so you dont have to. it takes more effort than you realize controlling your speed, not too fast, not too slow, trying to hold the pace despite small terrain changes and winf and weather takes more effort than you realize. The treadmill subtracts a lot of that.