treadmill harder on the joints than walking outside??

[threenorns]

*logically*, it should be harder on my joints to be tramping full-torque on frozen cement and pavement in steel-toed runners and easier to walk briskly on a treadmill - low impact and all that. but it isn't. the treadmill makes my hips, knees, and ankles hurt (mostly my hips).

maybe it's a biomechanical thing? the belt pulling the grounded foot back from under the body instead of the body advancing forward over it?

[MostMuscle]

No, you are pushing off with your feet also when you run on the treadmill. You don't flop your foot down on the belt, wait for it to be pulled back and then lift it up and forward. Running on the treadmill is very similar but indeed different. I have found most beginners don't use their natural gait when on a treadmill which leads to biomechanical issues.

[threenorns]

oh - i don't run, i walk. does that make a difference?

[heavyliftn]

It does depend because a fast walk is a run!