Treadmills have come up as an alternative to outdoor running, up to some extent they have been successful. Modern treadmills with advanced features of speed and inclination controls can simulate outdoor dunning. But a basic question always pops up:

Treadmill VS Outdoor Running: Which is Better?

The tussle between Treadmill VS Outdoor Running is neverending, with health and fitness experts supporting both as per their convenience. However, everyone has his own preferences. Some prefer outdoor running better over treadmills, while for others, running on a treadmill is a better option.

With outdoor running, you will get the opportunity to improve your stability by navigating ever-changing terrain. But with a treadmill, it will be easy for you to sustain your performance and speed level. This feature is certainly missing in outdoor running.

Also, many outdoor runners simply cannot bear the monotony of the treadmill. It is difficult for some runners to build up the pace without manual controls that are present only on the treadmill.

So, the debate between Treadmill VS Outdoor running has no sense at all, to be frank. We cannot declare one is better than the other, because both have their own pros and cons. It is just a matter of your goals and needs that compels you to prefer one over the other.

Treadmill

The treadmill is one of the most popular exercise equipment that is good for cardio-muscular exercise. Recently, its trend is increasing in both homes as well as gyms. This is most likely due to several key advantages that you can get only with a treadmill.

Here in the following sections, you will get to know the pros and cons of running on a treadmill.

Pros of Treadmills

Given below are the benefits of treadmills:

• No climatic and temperature constraints:

Extreme temperatures, rain, and other climatic difficulties make running outside more tedious. You never know when and how the climatic conditions may force you to give up your running plans. Apart from that, the high temperature can make you dehydrated and exhaust you early.

But with the treadmill, all these factors can be avoided. With a treadmill, you need not have to worry about sunscreen. You can exercise in your regular tracksuit or any loungewear without worrying about the outside climatic conditions.

• You can simulate any race condition:

When you need training for a hilly marathon, you are not having access to the hilly training route. This treadmill will help you by planning your treadmill for this appropriate point.

• It is way more convenient:

No doubt, the treadmill is way more convenient than outdoor running. You can run in your time whether it is peak temperature in the daytime or it’s raining outside. Along with running, you can manage your kids, talk on call, listen to music, watch TV, and even page through your magazine.

• Less stress on your ankle:

Those who have just recovered from some ankle or other injury should adopt treadmill over outdoor running. It has a smooth and cushioned surface that helps in better shock absorption. This leads to less stress on the knees and ankles.

You can use the treadmill for any heavy exercise like running uphill. It will help you improve your endurance and strength as in outdoor running along with preventing you from any stress.

• You will get manual controls:

The major reason for the increasing trend of the treadmill is its manual control. On the treadmill, it is you who will decide and control the pace. Also, it allows you to run at the same pace which is otherwise not available in outdoor running.

• In a treadmill, the pace can be controlled:

Another advantage of running on a treadmill is that here you can control your pace. Running at the same pace is not possible in outdoor running. So it provides a better alternative when you just wake up from some injuries.

With a treadmill, it will be easy for you to track your pace and mileage. Also, you can stop anytime when you want. There is also an option to use your treadmill in pushing up your pace.

• You can use it anytime

As this option is available right in your home, you can use the treadmill anytime that suits you. Nobody is going to stop you even when you are working out using the treadmill in the night time.

Cons of Treadmill

Everything with pros always has some cons. Given below are some drawbacks of treadmill:

• You can get injured:

Though the chances are less, still you can get injured. Sprains, head injuries, falls, cardiovascular events, etc are reported using the treadmill when used improperly.

• There are no turns:

On the treadmill, you will have to run straight and there are no turns, thus limiting your lateral agility improvement.

• No downhill movement:

It is possible with a treadmill to go uphill, but no option for downhill movement. Thus it prevents improving your strength of anterior tibialis muscle present on the front side of your legs.

• It can be monotonous:

Treadmill running is always monotonous and it cannot beat the appeal of running outside on a gorgeous day.

• There will be less perceived exertion:

Perceived exertion means how hard the activity is. It is always less on the treadmill than in outdoor running.

• Energy consumption:

Whether you are running at the same pace, the calorie burn is more in outdoor conditions than on a treadmill. It is because the treadmill does a lot of work to propel you forward.

Outdoor running

For most runners, outdoor running is considered a better option to train. Here are some pros:

Pros of Outdoor running:

Given below are some pros of Outdoor running:

• No gym membership:

It is a way cheaper option. There is a requirement of no equipment and no gym membership. With proper dressing as per the climate, you are ready to go for outdoor running.

• Training with fun:

Your travel love is never going to constrain your training or exercise routine. Whether you are outside the city, still you can find any route and continue your training.

• You get sunlight and fresh air:

Unlike the fluorescent lights of gyms which can make you look dull, the outside environment can brighten your mood with the gust of fresh air. The early morning sunlight, containing Vitamin D, is perhaps the best medicine you can get to protect yourself from cancer, bone deterioration, and seasonal depression.

• Sport-specific training:

Outdoor running is always preferred over a treadmill for sport-specific training. It will help you adapt according to the climatic and terrain conditions. Thus, you can improve your strength and endurance.

• It helps to strengthen your bones:

Running on a hard surface will exert more ground reaction force, thus more stress to your knee and ankle. It helps in strengthening your bones.

• Slows down your aging:

As per the Journal of Aging Health, it is found that outdoor running can increase the anti-aging factors by 35% besides helping to get rid of Dementia.

• Enhances your mood:

Apart from releasing feel-good endorphins, you get to see a lot of green and blue colors which further enhance the happiness within.

Cons of outdoor running:

Here are some cons associated with outdoor running:

• Chances of sustaining injuries:

As you have to run on the stiffer road, there will be more stress on your knees and ankle. Thus, chances increase for strain, sprain, falls, and other injuries.

• Unfavorable weather can cancel your running schedule:

Nature is never under anyone’s control. You never know, when rain, or strong wind, or any other form of extreme natural force will compel you to drop your idea of running outside.

The bottom line

In the case when your sole target is to maintain your cardiovascular fitness, then go for the treadmill. But if you want to get yourself trained for a racing event, then outdoor running will be the better option.