Tread mill Vs Running?

Question

is running on a tread mill the same as running on a path? I mean I know there totally different surfaces but could you get just as good of a work out on the treadmill as you would running on a path?

Answer 1

the treadmill is easier than running for real. to equal it out put it on about a 2 incline.

Answer 2

yep same thing your still running

Answer 3

...

If you mean to ask, could you burn off as many calories on a treadmill as you would running on a path -



- for the same amount of time, and the same pace, and the same incline or hills - no.  Running on a treadmill acts like a small trampoline, bouncing you up and slightly forward, and consequently is less difficult to do.

If you mean to ask, can you develop as much endurance or speed running on a treadmill as on a track - the answer is "kind of."

Through running on a treadmill, you can run hours and hours, as you would on a road.  And you can adjust the speed so that you are doing intervals and even sprints, going up, I've seen, to as fast as 14 miles per hour!

However, running on a treadmill does not condition your legs -  does not harden your legs - to running on a path, or track, or road.  Consequently, you lose some of the endurance and speed you gain on a treadmill when you go to a different surface, mostly because your legs are not only moving but also adjusting to the less-forgiving, less-bouncy surface.

But I'm not saying don't run on a treadmill!  There are good reasons for doing so, including:

-generally less impact on your muscles, joints, and bones - so you can run a treadmill on some days when you are too tired or stiff to run on a different surface.

-doing speedwork with less impact.  Again, it's not the same - but I've found that I can do speedwork on a treadmill and not get stiff, whereas doing it on a road or even a track results in knots and strains.  Granted, I've lost speed making the transition from treadmill to track - but at least I've had some speed to lose!

Regards,

Phil

Answer 4

excessive running on a treadmill can cause problems with your knees, hips and shin splints could develop quickly. running outdoors definitely gets you in better shape and is much more relaxing. on a treadmill you also feel like you are running faster than you actually are; in other words, if you run one speed on a path and try to run the same speed on a treadmill, it will actually be slower.

in my opinion i would much rather run outside. time passes by faster and with a specific destination i am less likely to give up or slow down when i get tired.

Answer 5

treadmill you will probably find easier so running on a path you will probably find you can't run as long or has hard but you can still get a good work out on a treadmill just the running on the path is a little harder you jsut run a bit less or w/e

Answer 6

Hi Jim!  This is a great question - the treadmill debate is something that has many people confused.

Running on the treadmill is very different than outdoors - for many reasons, from a physical perspective outdoor running is superior in many ways.

Three major differences are muscle development, running technique/joint wear and calorie output:

1.  Muscle development

Because you are using less hamstring on the treadmill, your body develops muscles and techniques for running that are different - the two patterns are very different and the treadmill runner typically becomes very quadricep-dominant and hamstring weak.

2.  Technique and joint wear

On a treadmill, you run in a repetitive pattern that accelerates wear and tear on your joints (running outside involves changes of direction, changes in surface and is always slightly different each time you run)  The treadmill teaches you to run in exactly the same way each time and fails to use other muscles you would normally need to do things in the real world (eg change direction)

3.  Calorie output

On a treadmill, now that we know the belt moves your feet back as you run (this means your hamstrings dont work as hard to pull you forward) you also dont have as much impact.  The end result is less calories burned (since you are using less muscle).

Hope that helps you.  I wrote a lengthy version of this in my blog - the title of the blog post is 'never run on a treadmill again'.  If you are interested check it out at http://jamieatlas.wordpress.com

Hope that helps you!

Answer 7

it totally depends on the runner, i myself perfer runnin on a path your surrounded by nature the scenery changes but understable that if the weather isn't so great a treadmill is the divine choice a lil borin though....

Answer 8

yeah, personally i like tredmills more

Answer 9

No.  On a path you put your foot in front then you need to apply a backward force to the ground to propel yourself forward.  On a treadmill you only have to put your foot in front and the treadmill takes backward without effort on your part.

Answer 10

i hate treadmills...i feel like i am not going anywhere very fast and that it takes forever to run a mile.

when u r outside the ground levels up and down which works other little muscles in your legs.

Answer 11

yes you could on a tredmill you have to click a button if u wanna speed up when on a path u can speed up as fast as u wanna, thats why i prefer on a path. but on a tredmill all the info is right infront of you, like speed distance,ect.

Answer 12

Treadmills are to running what masturbation is to s*x, a really poor substitute.  Go outside and run.  It's a much better work out.

Answer 13

truthfully there the same but running is better for u mentally