Running News Daily

Trail or Treadmill - The Pros and Cons

Few things can compete with running outside, but there is another side to running on the treadmill.

Trail or treadmill: which one provides the best workout? The debate has been around since treadmills came onto the scene in the 1960s. There are arguments for and against each one of them, and much of it is down to personal preference, as well as the goal you are trying to achieve via each type of workout. There are genuine advantages and disadvantages for both, as we shall see.

Distractions and Entertainment

It may shock some of our readers, but for some, perhaps many people, running can be either something that has to be endured through gritted teeth, aching limbs and burning lungs, while for others it is simply boring.

Treadmill

Some treadmills come ready equipped with a TV, but even if yours doesn’t there are plenty of opportunities to take your mind off what your legs are doing, via your own phone or tablet. Catch up on the latest episodes of Netflix series like Stranger Things, browse sites like Unibet for the latest Premier League Odds with all the different modalities and categories, or even watch a live match if football is your thing.

Trail

Obviously watching something while running outside is out of the question, but there is nothing stopping you from listening to music or a podcast. That said, however, one of the huge advantages of running in the great outdoors is exactly that: the great outdoors. Who needs anything else? Admittedly, not everyone is lucky enough to have incredible scenery in their backyard, but for those who do, or even a path with some greenery, there is nothing like running outside. Fresh air in your lungs (hopefully), scenery that changes day to day, month to month, season to season. There may even be wildlife. Netflix or live Premier League can hardly compete with that.

The Surface

A treadmill provides a safe, secure and predictable environment for a workout

Treadmill

It was often assumed that the springiness of a treadmill was kinder on knees and ankles than the hard terrain you often encounter when running outdoors. That is questionable, and because of the subtle change in running style when on a treadmill, it may actually be worse for your knees. The one definite advantage of a treadmill is that the surface is even and true. There are no uneven footholes or other hazards that could cause you to fall or twist your ankle. 

Trail

Many people don’t find running long distances on tarmac or other hard surfaces great for their joints. More injuries are sustained by those running outdoors than inside, almost certainly down to the rough terrain, something that is accentuated if the weather conditions are not ideal. Trail running does offer different types of surface, however, and a combination often provides a more varied workout.

The Actual Workout

Treadmill

Though there are limitations which we will cover below, the beauty of a treadmill is that you can program them with different workouts. You can choose the incline (as long as it is up), in terms of frequency and severity, something few have the chance to do with trail running. Because the surface you are running on is already moving, something that hopefully is not the case outside, you do expand a little less energy on a treadmill.  Setting the treadmill to a slight incline does rectify that.

Trail

If you are using the run to train for an event, then running outside is by far the best way, as opposed to simply putting the miles into your legs. Outside gives you the chance to run on uneven surfaces, around bends and downhill, all of which use different muscles, and are not available to those in a gym.

Safety & Convenience

Many people either don’t have somewhere to run outside, or prefer not to do it, especially on their own. The gym treadmill provides a safe environment with a guaranteed climate. If you do suffer an injury during the run, it is far more convenient to simply press stop on the treadmill than limp the two miles back to the start.

(08/15/2022) Views: 1,433 ⚡AMP