outside running or tredmill running?

[James_M]

HI, i have been weight lifting for the last few weeks with almost not cardio except i play rugby 3 times a week, and i am wanting to get much more into running and cardio because i want to loose weight.

i find i can push my self to run harder and longer on a tredmill then outside. because i can set times and speeds that i have to stay at

is there any difference to running on a treadmill then running outside for overall weight loss and stanima?

thanks for the help

[Zeek]

I hv trouble running on the outside too.. they seems more difficult... maybe it's because of the uneven terrain or something..?

[mnesty]

I always thought the treadmill was easier since there was no wind resistance. Also, my hamstrings are always sorer after running outside, so I figured I that on a treadmill I didn't have to propel myself and maybe that was the difference. Either way, I don't really care - I do whatever I"m in the mood for and my weight maintenance has been ok.

[JawD]

I`m no expert, but I`d guess that both have advantages. The tread is a moving flat surface, so it is easier to run further as outside, each step you are pushing off from a stationary surface. Does that make sense? Also, outside is uneven so I think would work more of the muscle for balance etc? maybe? As you say, the good thing about the tread is you can control your speed / gradient etc much better.

I`d guess though that a 60 min run outside is much better for you (and harder) than a 60 min run at the same speed on a tread.

I think outside running probably puts more stress on your joints as well.

[Redleg]

Running outside will help you not fall asleep. Whenever I run on a treadmill, I feel it am the one keeping the electricity on in the gym. Also, it always seems like the times and distances on a treadmill are screwed up. For instance, I can run two miles in about 13:30-14:00, but on a treadmill it took me almost 17:00 - what a crock.


As for weight losing weight, I don't think your body can tell the difference as long as your heart rate is elevated. endurance wise, you'll be able to run farther on a treadmill. I have heard ppl say that after running on a treadmill, they still aren't good at running outside, so I would say its pretty specific.

FWIW - running outside will prevent you from cheating - when you are 2 miles away and the only way to get back is to run, what are you gonna do? As opposed to a treadmill, you can just get off and go back to the parking lot IMO