Treadmill Running vs Outdoor Running

Treadmill Running vs Outdoor Running

Often times we see people or we ourselves use a treadmill in place of outdoor jogging when you can simply put on shoes and go outside. To help clarify the benefits and differences, below are a couple of examples as to why there is a difference.

Treadmill

  • No uneven terrain and poor weather conditions

  • Treadmills pass the belt beneath you to absorb the energy of your footfall to reduce the impact

  • People pace naturally slower on a treadmill due to perceived speed (feels easier  than outdoors oftentimes as a result) (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22357398/)

Outdoor

  • Influence of outdoor exercise has a greater chance of maintaining mental concentration

  • Benefits to anxiety and depression by exposure to elements

  • A few studies have also shown great bone density in outdoor exercise due to changing incline and terrain

Regardless of which is chosen, in accordance with American Heart Association, an adult should be doing 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise a week.

https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-in-adults

https://www.livescience.com/is-treadmill-running-easier-than-outdoor-running

Laura Hobson