Are you a treadmill runner or an outdoor runner?
If you’re new to running, you might be wondering which type of running is better. Both have their pros and cons, which may explain why many runners do both. Here’s an overview of the differences between treadmill running and outdoor running.
Treadmill benefits
Less impact. Because treadmills are cushioned, they can help prevent injuries related to impact and overuse. For example, they can help protect your knees from becoming injured if you have problems with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Treadmill running may also be easier on your muscles and joints than outdoor running.
Maneuverability. Running on a treadmill lets you control your pace and incline – which can be beneficial if you’re training for a race or using it for speed drills. The pace is constant, so it’s easier to keep track of how fast you’re going without having to check a watch every few seconds. In contrast, outdoor running involves constantly changing terrain and elevation changes, which means that it can be more challenging to maintain a consistent pace.
Running
On the other hand, running outside gives you more scenery to look at and more interesting surroundings. Running on a treadmill can feel like running in place — literally! If that bothers you, consider switching up your routine from time to time by incorporating both types of terrain into your training schedule. By doing this, you’ll get the variety that helps keep exercise fun and fresh and help avoid boredom.
Running at a steady pace on a treadmill is much harder than running outdoors because there’s no breeze and because you can’t see how far you’ve gone or how far you have left to go. That makes it easy to slack off without even realizing it.
