Is running on treadmill easier?

wow, an overload of treadmill posts lately. Are treadmill makers posting here?

Hmm, maybe I need a treadmill. Tired of running in the dark and almost getting run over.

have you TRIED doing a search on the messageboards for this topic?

It's been done a million times.

And tell me WHY CAN YOU NOT RUN OUTSIDE!? Pansies, man. Pansies.

I freaking love running in the snow. It's easier on your joints (more cushioning) and it's a FANTASTIC workout.

Just get out and run.

In any case,

Physically, probably.

Mentally definitely not (assuming you're switching over).

Many people that are 'mill rats say the same about switching from the mill to outdoors.

In any case, Physics:

The treadmill pulls your foot backwards. You don't have to push off. SO the back of your legs get a little underdeveloped compared to running outside.

You also ARE NOT accelerating your body. Which makes all the difference in the world.

physically... wrote:

In any case, Physics:

The treadmill pulls your foot backwards. You don't have to push off. SO the back of your legs get a little underdeveloped compared to running outside.

You also ARE NOT accelerating your body. Which makes all the difference in the world.

None of this is true.

` wrote:

physically... wrote:

In any case, Physics:

The treadmill pulls your foot backwards. You don't have to push off. SO the back of your legs get a little underdeveloped compared to running outside.

You also ARE NOT accelerating your body. Which makes all the difference in the world.

None of this is true.

No, pretty sure the treadmill pulls your foot backwards for you. Hence the motor pulling the ground out from underneath you.

Also pretty sure that you're not accelerating your body forward. Velocity=0.

LOL. Here we go again. Let me cut to the chase:

You have to increase the incline on the treadmill OR speed it up to get the same workout you get outdoors. There is no wind resistance on the treadmill. The smooth treadmill surface is much easier on your legs than the outdoors, which makes you more efficient. Greater efficiency means less effort. The treadmill does some of the work for you, so again, you have to raise the incline or speed it up; otherwise, the treadmill is easier than running outdoors. The bottom line is that if you want to run races outdoors, you need to do at least a good part of your training outdoors. Treadmills have their purpose, and it can sometimes be very relaxing to not have to worry about cars, dogs, people, ice, wind, etc., and just concentrate on your favorite TV show or tunes.

Now, let's see if any of the usual jackasses and know-it-alls will spout off again. As for me, my work's done here. :-)

They do have their purpose. They make procrastination harder.

For instance, I can right now go to the track in the dark OR run on a treadmill (if I had one). If I had one, it'd be an easy choice.

Here is a good conversion chart to go with what you are saying.

http://www.hillrunner.com/training/tmillchart.php

The generally accepted equivalent to outdoors on the treadmill is about 2% incline, unless I'm mistaken. There were a few studies done measuring efficiency that found that was the incline needed to match the same workout indoor vs outdoor.

I guess just using that metric, then, Yeah. Running on a treadmill (at 0% incline) is easier than running outdoors.

If you compare running on the treadmill with running outside, there are differences. The deck of the treadmill partially absorbs shocks to the joints. You do not feel the discomfort of unevenness on the ground. So you could say that jogging on the treadmill was easy.