Treadmill vs. Outdoor Running - Exercise & Fitness Message Board

XenaWP · 07-26-2005, 07:18 PM

I find that when I am on the treadmill I can run for 30 minutes with no problems, but outside I struggle after 10 minutes. Does this mean the treadmill does not burn as many calories, or work you out as well as outside running? Or is running a mile just a mile regardless of how you do it.

Meacoolgirly · 07-27-2005, 04:21 AM

I would think it would be more difficult outdoors with the random ups and downs of hills, ect.... but for me I find it opposite... i can run 3 miles easy outside, but its really hard to do the same distance on treadmill.. i think its because of the scenery and the fact that outdoors your actually going somewhere and can see your end points, ect.... running and getting no where on a treadmill looking at the same thing the whole time is just boring for me... but thats me..

starsofglass · 07-27-2005, 06:06 AM

I know what you mean, on the treadmill is easier for me too. I think the difference, aside from ups and downs outside, is: on the treadmill you can clearly control the speed. Outside you run on "instinct" so, if you're anything like me, you have no idea of your speed and tend to run too fast.
Also, a treadmill is a lot softer to run on, and you don't have to watch out where you're running (objects on the ground, people you're passing etc.)

ForgottenFaith · 07-27-2005, 08:37 AM

Double post...

ForgottenFaith · 07-27-2005, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meacoolgirly

I would think it would be more difficult outdoors with the random ups and downs of hills, ect.... but for me I find it opposite... i can run 3 miles easy outside, but its really hard to do the same distance on treadmill.. i think its because of the scenery and the fact that outdoors your actually going somewhere and can see your end points, ect.... running and getting no where on a treadmill looking at the same thing the whole time is just boring for me... but thats me..

I agree with this statement to a certain extent; however, I find running outside in general is more difficult than running on the treadmill, even if the ground is leveled. I can run 2 miles on the treadmill on speed 7, but when it comes to running outside, I burn out quicker. I think that running on the treadmill is great cardio, but I don't think it would help if you were a runner. It's just not the same. I think our body knows when it is actually moving or not, and that goes back to your statement about the scenery. But then I suppose, one can run longer on the treadmill, because unlike running outside, there's nothing to push you, and on the treadmill, if you leave it on then you're going to keep going.