Treadmill Positives and Negatives

I know of no studies, so I can only speak from personal experience. The winter before my senior year in HS I ran everyday on a treadmill because I wouldn't get home until it was already dark because of other responsibilities. I busted my ass on the treadmill, running 6-12 miles a day,6 days a week, at a good clip (6:30-6:00 pace).

Once I finally got back on the roads I felt much more efficient. Running that quickly on the treadmill elongated my stride by necessity (elongate of fall off the back or work too hard to complete the run). I ended up running a 4:17 1600 that year in track (my PR the year before was 4:34). A lot of this improvement can be attributed to a new, more knowledgable coach, but I strongly believe a substancial portion was do to my improved efficiency from treadmill running.

According to Mike Hanlon, XC National Qualifier out of Colgate University, "Running on a treadmill is not real running and doesn't count."

Running on a treadmill meand you are a pussy.

awwwww, it's cold and dark out, pooooor baaaaby.

Treadmill workouts do count as running. Someone once told me if youre running in place not going anywhere that is why its not running. I responded by saying when running outdoors dont you usually end up right where you started?

Never tried it, but presumably you could easily run barefoot, which would be beneficial to most with regard to form, foot strength, and efficiency.

I'm conducting a study on weather or not running contributes to illiteracy. I know which category to put you in. Thanks for your feedback!

running on a treadmill is easier because the belt pushes your foot back for you.

speaking of illiterate, weather = whether? That's news to me.

well running on a treadmill is great, that is until you pass out after attempting to run 40 miles in 24 hours with little food only to have the treadmill gradually burn your leg until half of your leg is missing.

They're different movements.

As the treadmill pulls your leg back for you, running on one becomes a matter of repositioning your center of gravity -pulling your foot forward.

It's a but different from propelling yourself across the ground.

*bit different, since there are so many spelling/grammar nazis here.

Good catch! I know what category to mark you under. Thanks for the feedback!

Let the stupidnesss begin!!!!!!!!! It's treadmill season again.

Just ask yourself each day whether your workout will be more productive outside or inside. Both activities are so closely related that it will make little difference which one you choose. The important thing is not to let stupidity cloud your judgement.

Ingrid Kristiansen ran much of her winter mileage on a treadmill, when faced with abominable conditions for running in the part of Norway she lived. She seemed to do pretty well with that (world records, etc).

Running outside is better if one can do it, but the treadmill is pretty damn close. There might be less threat of stress related injuries due to less pounding on the treadmill, if you live in a place with no soft surfaces to run on outside (like Beijing, where I live).

Just put the treadmill at 1% elevation to better simulate the correct resistance. 0% is like running downhill. It can be different - on the treadmills at my gym 1.5-2% is the right amount. You can feel it when it's right, if you pay attention.

Negatives : Treadmills suck

Positives : You don't have to run on one, get outside you pussy.

Treadmills can be very useful provided you don't get into the habit of doing all your running on them. They are good for hill training with none of the potentially damaging downhills, and allow you to concentrate on good technique, breathing patterns and leg cadence. It is handy to have the opportunity to do a workout on a treadmill when conditions outside are treacherous. Jack Daniels has a section on treadmill training in Daniels Running Formula with examples of workouts and gradients/equivalent paces.

I remember Joe Lemay back in his 2:12 days did a lot of treadmill training.

There are countless world/national class level runners that use them...but I guess they're pussies according to the punks responding to this thread.

Try running 100mpw at this time of year while working full time - especially in the North. You run in the dark until the weekend. Treadmills provide a great break and can afford you a quality workout when the roads are covered with ice.

As far as workout difference - slower paced stuff on the treadmill feels easier than on the road. I find the opposite to be true with the faster stuff - 5 minute mile pace feels a helluva lot faster (and more difficult) on the treadmill than on the road or track.