Is it harder to run on the streets or on a treadmill?

Question

i ran 2 miles today on the streets nonstop and was really tired. i ran 5 miles on a treadmill at the same pace and wasnt as much tired as on the streets. would it make a difference on my running?

Answer 1

I would think it would be harder to run on the streets because you might be going downhill, or uphill maybe tripping on stuff, but on a treadmill it's just a flat surface. That's just my two cents.

Answer 2

Physically?  Depends on the treadmill I think.  Some units have built in programs to vary incline and speed while running.  But the view never changes and unless you are in a gym you run by yourself.  But no risk of getting mugged or hit by a car either and you could watch TV while you run if it is set up where you can see the TV.  Up to you.

Answer 3

outside is harder.  

Answer 4

The treadmill stays constant, if you have it on an incline, it stays on that incline, the streets aren't like that so it is going to make you tired quicker and give you a better work-out. The kind of surface you are running on matters too, if you are running to the side of the road where it's just dirt and sand, you're going to get a better work out because it's harder to run in sand.

Answer 5

Streets are harder because the hard surface and there are obstacles like hills, bumps, holes, cars and such. Treadmills absorb pressure on your legs and knees which make it easier to run for a longer period time.

Answer 6

running on the streets is harder and i have no idea why.

Answer 7

street is harder.. you don't have air conditioning... and on a treadmill i believe you aren't doing all of the work because it is moving some of your legs for you

Answer 8

I think it is harder on the street because it has more impact.

Answer 9

Treadmill is a bit monotonous.  The surface is consistent, very little need to balance from side to side, for example.  A road surface will generally require more work on the balance and bump avoidance musculature.    I always found cross country (over hill and dale) as much more strenuous then road running as well.  If you're on populated roads as well, then you may have start and stop.  I always found indoor track running monotonous as well.

Kind like riding your bicycle on a mount or a stationary bike, versus riding it on a set of rollers.  On a stationary bike, you won't be working balance or side-to-side musculature.

Answer 10

tread mills are esier only becase the have shock absorbers you still would burn the same calories but your joints are not as tired  

Answer 11

first of i think it would be easyer to run on a treadmill because there are no hills but you shouldnt run on treadmills all the time it is very bad for your knees

Answer 12

i think the tredmill is harder

Answer 13

street is harder because you have to make turns and go up hills

Answer 14

it's harder to run on the streets obviously considering you actually have to use more strength to move your body forward when a treadmill moves backwards itself.  you use less force on a treadmill because its already moving.  

Answer 15

streets because you're actually moving forward