Tips for treadmill running

[Sweigum]

Yesterday was the day I had planned to run and I really needed it after being in a meeting all day. However, there was a wicked wind and blowing snow here. Rather than postpone I headed to a local gym and hopped on the treadmill. It was ok, but it definitely doesn't feel the same. Does anyone have tips for getting the most out of a treadmill run on days when it's not feasible to run outside?

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Pheweee it's a while since I've used one except for gait analysis runs, but I'd be tempted to use music or another distraction technique to lose the treadmill whirring..... Has the gym got screens, perhaps then use a YouTube treadmill virtual run video

[Ian5K Graduate]

When I used a gym - which is some years ago now, I’ll admit - the treadmills had simulated routes programmed so they could approximate a road run rather than rolling along at a constant rate and fixed incline. Check if the one you use does so.

I remember the gym coach would tell us to set the incline up a couple of degrees to compensate for the treadmill doing some of the work (of course, when you run on a road, it doesn’t move like a treadmill; you do all the moving). 🙂

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

Hi,

I sympathise with your weather situation - comes with the Canadian territory I guess!

As for the treadmill, I'm quite experienced using them - they make up about 30% of my runs in the last 6 or 7 years since I did C25K - in fact, I did the whole of the C25K program on a treadmill, like quite a few people on this forum.

And yes, it's different to outside in several ways.

But, to you question, what do you mean by "getting the most out of a treadmill run"?

Can you clarify, expand a little?

Thanks.

[Sweigum Graduate in reply to John_W]

I meant physically. It’s hard to gauge how fast to set my speed or incline. I felt like my legs were moving pretty fast but it didnt feel as difficult as running outdoors so I don’t know if I’m getting the same level of work out.

[John_W Graduate Ambassador in reply to Sweigum]

You're already, and correctly, getting the sense that for the same speed treadmill running is a bit easier.

Do you have any idea of what distances you were doing outdoors?

[Sweigum Graduate]

I was doing about 4.5 km in 30 mins outdoors. I did 4.2 on my first treadmill run. It felt like i was going a lot faster than I was outside, but I guess not.