C25k on a treadmill?

[Anniejam]

Has anyone completed the challenge on a treadmill? I’ve been doing a little research they said to put the incline on 1 to simulate running on road. What are peoples thoughts generally on the idea?

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

I did the whole of the program on a treadmill and never bothered with the incline and after 6 years and 4000 miles of running, 30% of which I still do on a treadmill, I still never bother with the incline.

A slightly springy running bed that is moving and helping to propel you forward is going to feel different to tarmac and pavements, even if you put it on 2 or 3% incline.

What it will do is give you a similar effort input - that is, you burn more calories when outdoors, for the same type of run.

[Anniejam in reply to John_W]

Great thanks John. Very insightful.

[Hidden]

I have a treadmill and I hardly ever use it. I prefer running outdoors, even when the roads are covered in ice! I have the feeling that running on a treadmill is a 100 times more heavy and hard for me. Outside your body shifts its pace very very slightly continuously and that feels more natural than on the treadmill where you are forced into a pace.

That being said, it can be done on a treadmill, absolutely no problem.

[Anniejam in reply to Hidden]

Thanks,

[Pooks85 Graduate in reply to Anniejam]

Hello! I started C25K on a treadmill. I would never have had the courage to do it outside. I completed the first 5 weeks on treadmill only. I went for my first EVER outside run in the snow and I loved it, but I had built the confidence to do it. I haven’t been back on the treadmill since and I have just completed week 8. There is no harm in trying both in the first couple of weeks but I find with the longer runs I got bored and kept checking the time on the treadmill whereas outside I enjoy the scenery. Good luck. This is the best thing I have ever done for myself

[Anniejam in reply to Pooks85]

Great stuff, thanks for your encouragement