Treadmill vs. Running Outside: Which is Best for Runners?

Which criterion should we take into consideration while making a comparison between using a treadmill and running outdoor? Are they different from the usability? What way does bring the greater results to runners? Actually, this query is not strange. Although there remain some controversies among all given perspectives, some academic studies have indicated that following both running practices bring to the similar results in case there is little differences in its parameters. In reality, many kinds of exercises only allow you to practice on treadmills.

What is treadmill?

Treadmill is a very useful tool supporting the growth of heart and blood vessels no matter whether you practice with yourself or take part in a course in the fitness center. Most gyms contain many running devices standing in line, similar to a team in military.The absence of modern technologies in producing treadmills decreases the prices of running devices and together with some machines for training.

Therefore, more and more practicers can easily access them, rather than the traditionally running methods both, in fitness centers and in their own accommodation has subsequently resulted in an increased number of people using treadmills at home or at the gym instead of running outside. However, before making any decision for running outdoor or on a treadmill, you should take some fundamental criterion first.

Actually, all following information offer a wide range of differences in terms of advantages and disadvantages between using a treadmill and running outside. They can totally lead you to the right options.

Treadmill and running outside

Here are the main categories comparisons between treadmill and running outside:

1. Approachability:

Treadmill

Pros

Today, you can totally find many fitness centers opening around your location without using much effort. That is why joining a course in these places is extremely easy. There is a lot of fitness centers which contain a long line of treadmills ready for you training exercises.

Cons

There is no doubt about the fact that fitness centers are definitely not shortage in this modern society. Nonetheless, the total cost for any courses is pretty expensive and increases day by day. One explanation is that the preference of physical training gradually increases, most fitness centers tend to increase the cost for anyone desiring to use their services. Then it reduces people’s interest to these practicing spots.

Running outside

Pros

Because no one charges this kind of exercise, it is widely available for all people to access. If you are usually worried that you cannot afford to pay fees of training courses, leaving home and doing running exercises can encourage you to practice within a long time, even over half of an hour. This practice not only brings no fee, but it also supports your daily physical practice.

Cons

You have to run on different terrains, rather than only the flat land when running outside instead of using a running device. In reality, it consumes a lot of energy in order to walk on the unbalanced surfaces without any slips.

2. Changes

Treadmill

Pros

The most outstanding feature of treadmill is its functionality. You can conveniently adjust its parameters aiming at improving the result of your training process. In addition to, it allows you to change the running surface. A study has shown that increasing the incline of treadmill to one percent will help you burn more calories similarly to road running.

As a result, it contains some forces which are the perfect replacement for wind pressure. Moreover, the walking step can create the exact feelings you have and consume even more energy while doing exercises outside.

Cons

The practicing place is unchangeable while using this treadmill. No matter it is a fitness center or your apartment, the weather condition, dampness and terrain keep steady. Therefore, it likely makes you boring.

Running outside

Pros

Many trainers consider the immeasurable distance in quantity as a wonderful feature of running outside. It is true that the route limitation sometimes can bring more positive results. However, your hobby can be freely choosing the amount of distance following your current desire.

Cons

Imagine that you are doing exercise outdoor, the current climate can strongly effect on your running process. In other words, the environmental condition must be one of the most important factors deciding the effectiveness of your physical training.

If you just keep jogging within seven days, definitely you cannot gain the best results. Actually, it requires a large amount of time for practicing. In reality, you may feel depressed when there remain some unpredictable events obstructing you from going outside to run frequently.

3. Speed

Treadmill

Pros

A treadmill possibly allows you to adjust the speed and keep following this velocity. Actually, it must be your most effective tool in case you need to gain a certain level of strength in order to take part in some physical competitions or simply have a good tolerance.

Especially, if you can get boring easily, this machine must be your most suitable device. It is very easy for you to control and improve your physical development by adjusting the parameters for velocity, amount of routes, and quantity of energies burning.

Cons

Using a treadmill can create a habit which is keeping moving as the parameters on its electrical board. You may subliminally look at the screen, see the changes and just follow them.

Running outside

Pros

In modern society, it is nearly impossible for you to avoid the impact of the technological items in your daily life. Actually, there are very little ways for you to do that successfully. The development of electrical devices for communication such as smartphones, computers, etc. can make us clearly understand that we can interact with other people rapidly without any limitation about space or time.

In reality, you cannot refute the intensive growth of technology. However, it is still great for you to ignore everything happening in your life by jogging outdoor with a slow to dramatic speed.

Cons

You can find it extremely hard to keep your speed constant while joining in a road running exercise without using the assistance of technology. The pains or exhaustion likely prevent you from following your initial pace. Such a jogging like this cannot make you reach your training targets.

4. Efficiency

Treadmill

Pros

In case you cannot follow an unchangeable pace, a treadmill must be your most effective item. This device can totally assist you to run at a constant speed and improve your strength. In addition to, it contains a rearguard movement which helps you to create the long steps in a fixed flow, then prevents your body from falling ahead.

Cons

In reality, the terrain outside which you have to jog is not ideal like what you practice on your treadmill. This device removes all forces from environmental condition such as wind or weather.

Running outside

Pros

Many athletes consider jogging as one of the most effective practices. Moreover, it is extremely easy for our physical strength to suit this comprehensively. Transporting between one place and another without using any tricks except your own effort can totally bring the wonderful feelings.

In order to make your training time more interesting, you should let your pets go around with you, keep jogging to some certain and beautiful spots or invite your close friends to run together. Apart from making you excited, these activities can likely stimulate you to run more regularly.

Cons

Obstructions such as vehicles, careless runners, or the ones running in the incorrect direction can totally make your mood down. These unpredictable situations likely reduce your current speed and prevent you from recovering the initial velocity because of too much time for stopping.