treadmill or outside

[lauraberne]

I have done my first two runs on the treadmill in the gym and was wondering if it is easier or harder outdoors! Which is the best to do?

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

Personally, I find treadmill running harder because I get bored so quickly! Lots of others enjoy it though. It’s a bit of a personal taste thing.

Outdoors you’ve got lots of other things to manage that I think makes it harder than running on a treadmill. There’s the uneven terrain, hills, weather, flies, traffic, pedestrians etc… By far the hardest thing is pace though.

I don’t think there’s necessarily a “best” way forward. You could do all your runs on a treadmill if that’s your thing. I’d be sad about that myself because outdoors has so much variety and scenery. Plus there’s the possibility of parkrun, races and running with other people that you can’t really do on a treadmill. It’s worth trying both.

Find what works for you and good luck!

[Cmoi Graduate]

Hi lauraberne , the "best to do" is the running that you enjoy!

I personally love being outdoors - I run in the countryside, on trails whenever I can, and I'd loathe running on a treadmill. Others prefer treadmill running and find going outdoors more challenging. And others do both. It's your choice!

[Hidden]

I did my whole C25K on a treadmill as it was the only option I had as I live abroad and it’s too hot outside.I’m back in the UK for 6 weeks running outside it is lovely, weather, scenery, animals, flowers etc etc but boy is it hard I can’t run anymore than 20 mins. I feel out of breath and exhausted I do this 3 times a week. What ever works for you but try both and see how you feel. I really want to keep going I’m determined to run my 30 min outside if nothing else before I need to leave again ( in 2 weeks).

Deep down Im really looking forward to getting back to my trusty treadmill and gym and back into my routine.

Onwards and upwards

[John_W Graduate Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

I'm a big advocate of treadmill running ... but we really need to sort out your 20 minute issue! (Please see my questions to your post about it)

[Hidden in reply to John_W]

Will do John thank you I will check it out

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Sent you my reply

[ArthurJG Graduate]

Reading here and talking to real life pals I’ve concluded that the one you do most tends to end up being the one you find easier. Therefore there’s something to be said for doing a bit of each I suppose!

That said, running outside may have additional health advantages over and above what you’d get anyway from running indoors. There’s some research suggesting it can reduce the risk of dementia in old age. To be clear, running on a treadmill helps reduce that risk too, but it seems running outdoors reduces it even more.

One hypothesis that might explain that is that perhaps additional benefit comes from using your brain while your heart rate is elevated. Running outdoors you have to monitor your route, control your pace and avoid being a nuisance to others whereas on a treadmill the machine does a lot of that thinking for you.

The researchers tested the hypothesis by monitoring care home residents who used exercise bikes indoors. One group was given easy video puzzles to solve while exercising, to simulate the simple problem solving involved in outdoor running. Over the research period, fewer people in that group got dementia compared with the control group.

[Bobbydazzle Graduate]

I did my couch to 5k on treadmill then did my 1st parkrun! I found it harder to pace myself without the treadmill doing it for me but once I got used to that I hardly ever use treadmill now unless it's pouring down with rain! I find it much easier running outside now as it really clears ur mind with nothing to think about except enjoying the feeling of running

[MrBassmanjazz Graduate]

I can't imagine using a Treadmill. I like the scenery to change, to get out in the nature, talk to the animals. I'm lucky, I have it on my doorstep, but even in a city I'd rather do streets and parks than indoors.

[Hidden]

I did my C25K outside and continued to well past 10K before setting foot on a treadmill.

My first experience was a bit of a disaster at the end. A fault meant it increased to full speed and I was running flat out frantically trying to stop it, and yes, I do now know the BIG RED STOP BUTTON does just that, but at the time panic took over.

Outside is far more fun, but, inside on a treadmill you have not got the elements to battle against and in this heat I have found it marvellous. I can also see the advantage of my nice pink running shoes not getting so dirty indoors (although I am less obsessed with keeping them clean as I was with my first pair).

The actual running is a different experience, rather than constantly adjusting my speed and dodging around obstacles outside, on a treadmill, it is a constant speed in a straight line and I read somewhere that your muscles develop differently. I do find that even if I do the same distance on a treadmill in about the same time as I would outside, when I get off, the ground feels wobbly for a few minutes.

Probably the biggest point for me, is that outside I can run on my own, with one or two, or with our whole running group. That makes it a social event as well as a run. I don't think we could have the same experience on treadmills.

[nowster Graduate in reply to Hidden]

That's a good point about developing differently. I wonder how many folks who started on treadmills have had ankle problems when transitioning to running outdoors.

[Hidden in reply to nowster]

True, I never thought of the injuries that may occur that way.

I remember the article saying that the treadmill limited the range of muscles used, road running used more of a variety (I guess because you do run around things) but that the widest range were developed through cross country/off road running.

It makes sense. Many years ago, I went to the Lake District and decided to by some walking shoes while I was there. The guy in the shop suggested that as I was an inexperienced walker that he recommended boots rather than shoes as they would support my ankle better. He said most injuries people suffer is ankle related due to inappropriate footwear and unused to walking on rough ground. At the time I had though that I would have had more use out of shoes than boots but went with his suggestion anyway. The first day out my foot slipped down a hole sideways but came away injury free. I was sure I would have sprained my ankle at the very least if it had not been for the boots.