treadmill vs running

I just finished up my run outside, and it was wonderful. The weather is finally warming up, the sun has been shining, and I had a great time with my dog. It’s funny how much of a difference there can be between running outside versus on the treadmill. When you are on an outdoor jog, especially when it is warm out, you feel like you’re working your body in more natural ways than being inside on a machine. There really is no comparison to being outdoors enjoying nature while getting some exercise at the same time!

You might have noticed that I mentioned using a treadmill instead of running outside for this blog post title because many people do not enjoy exercising outdoors as much as they enjoy going inside to get their workout done.

I just finished up my run outside, and it was wonderful. The weather is finally warming up, the sun has been shining, and I had a great time with my dog. It’s funny how much of a difference there can be between running outside versus on the treadmill. When you are on an outdoor jog, especially when it is warm out, you feel like you’re working your body in more natural ways than being inside on a machine. There really is no comparison to being outdoors enjoying nature while getting some exercise at the same time! 

You might have noticed that I mentioned using a treadmill instead of running outside for this blog post title because many people do not enjoy exercising outdoors as much as they enjoy going inside to get their workout done.

For many runners, choosing to go outside for a run can be a more difficult decision. Many people claim that running on the treadmill is better than movingoutdoors because it provides a consistent experience that you don’t have when running outside. But others say that going outside gives them challenges they might not get from a treadmill machine workout in front of their television. Let’s compare treadmill vs running outside to know which one is best.

One factor in making this decision could be personal preference and the needs of your particular exercise routine. For example, if you plan to run five miles every day, then there are some big differences between those two workouts that may make one type more suitable for you than another. But, on the other hand, both types of exercise are great for your body and offer different benefits depending on what is most important to you as far as your training goes. 

There are also several other differences between running outside and treadmill exercise on the treadmill that can impact your individual workout routine as well as your overall enjoyment of indoor treadmill training. Some of these factors include:

Difficulty

Running outside is more challenging than working out inside, even when doing exercise on the treadmill. This has to do with everything from terrain to varying levels of sun exposure depending on the time of day and the area where you live or want to run.

When running outdoors, people often find that they work harder because they have to adjust their speed and intensity based on whether there is shade available or if they might get hit by a car or encounter uneven ground. There is nothing like uphills, downhills, and uneven ground to make you work harder than you would on treadmill exercise indoors. 

Calories Burned

This is another area where treadmill machines beat out outside run. While the treadmill burn is not the best option for truly burning as many calories in a short amount of time as running will provide, treadmills will still help you build muscle tone and get your heart rate up quickly during your workout.

Because these machines are stationary, they also allow you to control the weight-bearing element that goes into losing fat by moving with your own body weight versus having to directly change how much effort it takes to move forward as outdoor runners do. Indoors treadmills offer consistent workouts while minimizing exposure to temperature and weather changes.

If you want to work hard but don’t want the heat of outside running, treadmill exercise might be a great option for your workout. 

Enjoyment

This is another area in which the treadmill beats out outdoor jogs. Many people prefer machines over running because they can enjoy TV or music while working out. You also don’t have to worry about any potential dangers when exercises indoors.

When exercising on an outside track, you run into the threat of automobiles, uneven ground, and possible changes in temperature from being outdoors. At home, on a treadmill, you eliminate all of those factors and experience a more relaxing training routine without the stress that many people feel when exercises are outside. 

You can combine your treadmill exercise routine with other forms of exercise to create a more well-rounded treadmill also workout. In addition, they can fit easily into anyone’s home gym instead of having to find an area where you are allowed to run outdoors.

5 Benefits of Running Outside

treadmill vs running outside

Some trainers believe running outside offers several advantages that running on a treadmill can’t. These include:

1. Variety

Although running inside is typically not as challenging as running outdoors; you don’t get the same type of variety when running indoors. When running outside, you experience different terrain and levels of difficulty depending on where you are running.

You also get to choose your scenery which helps motivate some people when running outside. Others find it distracting to have so many choices, but there is no denying that running can be more enjoyable when something is inspiring to look at along the way. [Image for suggestion]

2. Challenge

Outdoors gives runners a lot more flexibility than working out indoors with a machine like a treadmill. Machines limit the number of options that you have and what you can see while running. This is why many people find running on a track more challenging than indoors treadmill exercise, but not everyone has a nearby running track available for their exercise routine. Choosing when you run and where means that your workouts will be a little bit different every time. 

3. Social Factors  

Another advantage of outdoors compared to working out with treadmills is social interaction. Many people find it easier to talk with friends while running outside than alone on a treadmill indoors. On top of this, outdoor runners report feeling like they are part of a larger community than those who only work out on treadmills. This is not to say running outside doesn’t also have its downfalls. Many people don’t enjoy outside because of the potential dangers of being exposed to weather changes and other runners. 

4. Flexibility

As previously mentioned, on a treadmill can be limiting if you want the feel of running outdoors but aren’t able to make it out there while running on a track or trail for whatever reason. However, many runners prefer outdoors because they are more comfortable exercising in an unstructured environment, and they are freed from many rules governing indoor exercise routines.

Treadmill does provide some flexibility by allowing people who might otherwise need space for a workout area or gym membership to work out at home when needed but outdoors allows people to enjoy without the same restrictions.

5. Prevent Running Injuries

While outside is not always safer than running on a treadmill, some trainers believe that an outdoor track will reduce your risk of injury compared to a treadmill. On a treadmill, you can encounter instability issues that are harder to avoid because you are confined to walking or running in a straight line. When outside, you don’t have this issue, and your stride naturally adapts as needed, which prevents unnatural stress from being placed on your joints and muscles each time you run.  

When to Run Outside

If you choose outside, there are a few times of the day that trainers recommend running outdoors. At these times, outside offers an advantage over running on treadmills because it is easier to get out there than it is to get onto a treadmill.

  • Sunrise and Sunset Times: If you can time your runs so that they take place at sunrise or sunset, these are ideal times for running outdoors because sunlight tends to be more beneficial for energy levels during your workout routine. However, it is important to remember this only applies if you don’t have any safety concerns about outside after dark which could present issues for those who aren’t comfortable in the dark or running alone.
  • Running in Cold Weather: Cold weather can be a common concern for running outside, but running in chilly temperatures can be easier for runners than running on a treadmill. Treadmill takes a lot of the unpredictability out of the running because you are inside and don’t have to worry about changing weather conditions or windy situations as much as when running outdoors. The wind is also a factor to consider when running outdoor, with strong winds being more prevalent during times like sunrise, sunset, and nighttime. 

5 Benefits of Running on Treadmill

5 benefits of running on treadmill

1. Training for Races

When running on a treadmill, you can train to perform better in races or other events that take place outside. For example, running on a treadmill allows runners to stay running even during a light snowfall, and running indoors gives them time to practice in inclement weather conditions.

It also provides more flexibility when the ground is too wet or leaves make it difficult to run outdoors without risking injuries like slips and falls.

2. Interval Training

Treadmill lets you switch up your regular training routine with interval training options that aren’t always available when running outside.

Running at different speeds presents an opportunity for runners at all levels of condition because the treadmills provide an alternative way to work out by presenting new challenges while running outdoors.

3. Treadmill Track your Performance

The treadmill allows you to track your performance during workouts. While running outdoors doesn’t allow for the same level of tracking, runners can wear devices that measure their distance and speed while running outside, but these are not as accurate as on a treadmill.

4. Workout Programming

Treadmill allows you to utilize specialized workout programs like those created by personal trainers and nutrition coaches. With the right programming software, you can find training plans created for every fitness level and learn more about getting better results from each session.

5. Enjoy Music or Videos While running on the treadmill

Allows you to listen to music or watch videos. You can also use this time to catch up on emails and other work-related activities while running simultaneously. An alternative way to keep yourself from becoming bored running indoors is by running with friends using a phone app, like Runkeeper, that lets you share your experience.

Cons of Running Outside

  • Safety Concerns: Running outside at night presents safety issues that on a treadmill does not have. This is especially true for women running alone, as in the dark can make them feel vulnerable to potential attackers or other risks encountered when running outdoors.
  •  Inclement Weather Issues: Outside weather conditions are always changing and unpredictable, which can cause safety concerns if you’re running during adverse weather like icy roads and high winds. If you run through these types of conditions too frequently, you risk injury from slips and falls related to wet ground or leaves from trees that fall onto the road during inclement weather. 
  • Running Surface: As mentioned above, with injuries caused by cold temperatures, running on a treadmill allows you to maintain a running surface that is always the same, so it’s less likely for you to slip or fall. The risk of injuries is also higher when running outside because running surfaces vary from location to location, and some surfaces can cause extra stress on your joints and muscles if run on too frequently.

Cons of Treadmill Exercise

  • Lack of Motivation: Treadmill can lead to a lack of motivation because indoors can be mundane, which leads some runners to lose interest entirely. This is especially true when you run on a treadmill too frequently and don’t switch up your routine with running outside occasionally.
  • Cleanliness Issues: While on treadmills is convenient when it comes to keeping yourself clean (no need for a separate shower or changing room facilities).
  • Lack of Personal Atmosphere: You can never get a complete environment on a treadmill, and running outside is still the only way to enjoy with your preferred partners. This is especially true if you prefer running in groups or at night because these exercises are not possible on a treadmill.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion – Treadmill vs Running Outside

Treadmill running vs running outdoors presents two different ways for runners to keep their fitness levels high and stay motivated during training sessions. Ultimately, this debate has no right or wrong answer since both methods have their pros and cons based on individual runner needs.

To find out which method works best for you, try running at least once per week outside (if possible) as well as inside on the treadmill. This way, you can compare running outside vs running on a treadmill and decide which running method is right for your running goals.

Although both methods have their pros and cons, running outside ultimately has more benefits than running on a treadmill for many runners because it allows you to run faster speeds without any risk of injury and offers an increased sense of accomplishment.

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