What’s Better: Treadmills v/s Outdoor Running?

Hello Ziddis! Amid this rat race we are running, haven’t we thought of actually starting to run for ourselves? Running has its perks for your health. It is one of the best routines you can imbibe and the change in your health and fitness is for you to see for yourself. In this blog we are discussing about treadmill running vs outdoor running.

Advantages of Running on a Treadmill Every Day

Running is one of the best fitness practices. You must remember how you started your workout journey. It started with cardio disguised as running on a treadmill. Here are some key advantages of running on a treadmill every day:

• Good head start
• Controlled environment
• Flexible training
• Helpful for lowering joint impact. Most treadmills come with cushioned surfaces, which are gentler on your knees compared to running on hard outdoor surfaces.
• A safer option to avoid traffic, air quality concerns and busy lanes

Is Treadmill Running Better or Outdoor Running?

Whether it is treadmill running or outdoor running, running as an activity is beneficial. Depending on your goals, lifestyle and comfort level you can pick which one is better for you: treadmill running or outdoor running. Each has their set of benefits for mental stimulation and physical fitness. Here is a comparative overview:

Treadmill Running	Outdoor Running
Treadmill running offers ease of use and accessibility	Outdoor running helps catch up on fresh air, greenery and peace
The terrain is predictable	It is an unpredictable terrain
You can stick to your comfort zone	You might need to deal with reroutes and changing lanes
The environment in the gym or home is controlled for treadmill running	Outdoor running requires you to also build resistance due to wind
Can feel monotonous and boring	Can be fun, exciting and stimulating

According to your priorities, you can pick whether running on a treadmill fits your preference or if outdoor running is right for you.

Treadmill Running Benefits

Running on a treadmill comes with its own set of benefits

• Customize your run by picking your incline and speed.
• Weather plays no hindrance
• Reduces strain on joints because of shock absorbent technology
• No disturbance
• Lesser factors contributing to an injury

Read Also: Walking vs Running: Ending the Age-Old Debate

Outdoor Running Benefits

Outdoor running may seem like a task but comes with unmatched benefits:

• Boosts mental health and clarity
• Reduces stress
• Induces production of happy hormones like serotonin due to fresh air and pleasant environment
• You can experience seasons
• You develop immunity
• Cost-effective as you need only a good pair of running shoes
• Exposure to vitamin D helps bone health, immunity and mental health.

Tips and Tricks For A Safe Run

Injuries are common to all forms of workout but to have an injury-free running session, make sure you are careful about:

• Posture: Do not lean forward too much. Keep a check on your posture especially if running on the treadmill.
• Do not increase incline drastically: This can add strain to your knees making you experience knee pain.
• Do not increase the speed unless you are ready
• Have a warm-up and cool-down session before and after the run
• Invest in good sports gear like joggers and shoes.
• Always carry your shaker bottle to grab a sip and avoid being dehydrated

Takeaway

Whether on a treadmill or an outdoor run, grab the massive advantages of running with both hands. Treadmills and outdoor running both have their different sets of advantages and challenges. It is for the best that you pick whichever is the right route for you to take. Listen to your body and be sure to do what is right.

You have miles to go before you snooze!

Sources:

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/running-on-treadmill-vs-outside