Outside Running or a Treadmill?

Just take a moment to contemplate the intensiveness of training on its own, research continues to show that jogging or walking outdoors provides a tad better workout than performing the running or walking on a treadmill. But that does not mean you should get rid of your treadmill. With a little creativity, you could even the score.

One factor that makes outdoor running a better workout is wind resistance. Another reason has to do with biomechanics. Outdoor running requires pushing off against the ground, while treadmill exercise is a more airborne exercise, with the ground moving below  the runner. If you use the correct, upright form and ascend the elevation of the treadmill to 1% to make up for for the lack of wind and ground resistance.  A fitness specialist with the proper accreditations and knowledge will be sure that you’re jogging on the correct surface.

Keeping an eye on your heart rate can also provide critical information about how to compensate for the differences between the surfaces. Track your heart rate while on the treadmill or outdoors. If there’s a variation, you can make up for the loss. Quicken the elevation or speed on the treadmill to compensate for example.

Treadmills really do deliver one edge that the outdoors cannot match. Interval training technique that runners count on to step-up  their speed, could be more taxing on a treadmill than on the pavement.

dissimilar running surfaces can provide different impacts involved and the stresses which find their way up to your joints. Grass, wooded area trails, earth, cinders and man-made tracks are the best surfaces for just about all runners followed by the treadmill. Nevertheless, the treadmill is a preferred surface than asphalt, sand, concrete & snow.  It is clear that, the demands placed on the body when running on sand or snow are additional factors to consider prior to preparing for your next run.

Source: Maria Faires, RD – Sammamish, WA personal trainer  and registered dietitian.