Running is a very popular form of exercise and why not, it doesn’t require any expensive equipment and it’s one of the most efficient ways to burn calories. Some day you may be faced with the question of if you should run on a treadmill or outdoors. There are a number of differences between the two which are discussed below.
Impact on your joints: Both running on a treadmill and running outdoors are going to have some level of impact on your joints. The more expensive treadmills have a high degree of cushion and put a lot less pressure on your joints than running on asphalt. However, running on grass has less impact than treadmills.
Efficiency: Since a treadmill provides some assistance by pushing your feet back you are working less than if you were running outside where you have to use all your energy to push off the ground to move yourself forward. There is also wind resistance which requires you to exert more energy outdoors.
Convenience and privacy: A treadmill is much more convenient and private than running outdoors. You can jump on it at anytime, rain or shine, and you can watch your favorite television show too. The convenience and privacy alone can save your running program especially on those days when you don’t feel like going out on public display or when it’s extremely hot out or pouring rain.
Cost: A good electric treadmill can be expensive. The cheap treadmills have less cushion making them tougher on your joints. For those who can’t afford a treadmill but would like the convenience of knowing how many miles they’ve run, at what speed, their heart rate, etc. should think about purchasing a GPS watch which can be purchased for as cheap as $100. Treadmills can also take up space so if you don’t have a lot of room in your home you might want to stick to outdoor running.
Safety: Those that live in the city are better off running on a treadmill for safety from lots of traffic and pollution. It is especially important not to be breathing in chemicals when you are exercising as you are breathing heavily.