Treadmill vs Outdoor Running

Have you ever wondered if running on a treadmill is better than pounding the pavement outdoors? You’re not alone. Many runners grapple with this question. This post aims to settle the debate by comparing the benefits and drawbacks of treadmill running versus outdoor running. Whether you are an experienced marathoner or a newbie runner, understanding these differences can help you make the best choice for your fitness goals.

Running On A Treadmill

Controlled Environment𑁋One of the biggest advantages of treadmill running is the ability to control your environment. You can set the speed, incline, and switch between difficulty levels. This controlled setting makes it easier to stick to specific training plans and track your progress.
Convenience and Accessibility𑁋Treadmills are convenient if you own one, your complex has a gym, or if you have a gym membership so that you can run at any time of the day, regardless of weather conditions. This can make treadmill running appealing for those living in areas with extreme weather or lack safe running routes.
Impact on Joints𑁋Treadmills are usually padded, which reduces the impact on your knee, ankle, and hip joints.

Running Outdoors

Natural Terrain and Scenery𑁋Running outdoors gives you a variety of terrains and scenic routes. Whether you’re running on a beach, through a park, or up a mountain, the changing scenery can make your runs more enjoyable and less monotonous. If you’re in the Seattle area, check out our series on neighborhoods you can walk/run.
With the variety of terrain and surfaces of running outside comes a lower risk of repetitive motion injuries. When you run on constantly changing surfaces, slightly canted roads, sidewalks with a buckle, up and down curbs, you change up the angles of impact of feet, ankles, knees and hips. These changes may not seem like much, but the really make a difference. This is also why trail running is even better than city running for lowering the risk of repetitive motion injuries.
Benefits of Being Out In Nature𑁋According to UC Davis Health, “studies [have shown] that being in nature has a positive effect on our bodies by reducing cortisol levels, muscle tension, and demands on our cardiovascular systems (lowers heart rate and blood pressure). Being out in nature often may lead to lower rates of heart disease. The great outdoors can also help you increase your vitamin D level, which is important for your bones, blood cells, and immune system.”
Get Some vitamin D𑁋During sunny days, getting outside can give our body one of the most most critical nutrient needs𑁋vitamin D. The Mayo Clinics says that “vitamin D is a nutrient your body needs for building and maintaining healthy bones because your body can only absorb calcium, the primary component of bone, when vitamin D is present.”

Running Performance Comparisons

Calorie Burn𑁋Due to factors like wind resistance and varied terrain, the difference in calorie burn is often minimal. Both forms of running are effective for weight loss and cardiovascular health.
Pace Control𑁋On a treadmill, maintaining a consistent pace is easier. You can regulate your speed, making it less likely for you to accidentally slow down. In contrast, outdoor running requires more self-discipline to maintain your pace, especially when facing inclines or rough terrain. But it’s also natural to run slower on an uphill and faster on a downhill and being able to modulate pace changes on changing terrain is a good skill to have as a runner.
Training for Races𑁋If you’re training for a race, running outdoors can give you a more accurate sense of the conditions you’ll face on race day. The varying terrain and weather conditions will better prepare you for the unpredictability of an actual race.

Safety Considerations

Some people will feel safer running in the controlled confines of their homes or gym. Running outside carries the safety risks of irregular terrain and environmental and human factors. But treadmills have their own safety issues and can take getting used to. If you are new to them, give yourself a chance to learn the controls interface so you know how to increase and decrease pace, and quickly stop the belt if you need to. Holding on to the handrails is not good for your running form, so avoid doing that or try to wean yourself off as you gain confidence.

Social Aspects of Outdoor Running

Outdoor running often provides opportunities to socialize. Join a running group like Unstill Life because we make runs fun, we accommodate all paces, and we help you stay motivated and accountable. Build strength, stamina, and make new friends at our weekly runs.

Impact on Motivation

Staying Motivated Indoors𑁋Treadmills often come with built-in entertainment options like televisions or virtual running routes. These features can help keep you entertained and motivated during your runs.
Making Running More Convenient and Easier—(aka Less Friction) For many people, just the fact that they can opt for a treadmill at home or their gym makes it easier to say Yes to it.
Natural Motivation𑁋Many runners find the natural environment to be more motivating. The changing scenery and fresh air can make outdoor runs feel less like a chore and more like an adventure.
Setting Goals𑁋Both treadmill and outdoor running allow you to set and achieve personal goals. Whether it’s increasing your distance, improving your pace, or simply running more consistently, having clear objectives can help keep you motivated.

Choosing between treadmill running and outdoor running ultimately depends on your personal preferences, goals, and lifestyle. Take us for example. Stephanie loves the treadmill and trains for marathons on them! Rachel can’t bloomin fathom that and will almost always opt for outside runs, even in the rain. Both have their unique advantages and drawbacks, but neither is inherently better than the other.

Ready to get started? Join our running group for a fun way to connect with like-minded people and challenge each other in a supportive environment.

Check out Unstill Life on Heylo, a fitness community app. You’ll see our classes and runs listed, see photos, and chat us up.