Running Outside vs a Treadmill: Which Works Best For You?

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A 2013 study found that 75 percent of 1, 200 Americans prefer running as their primary form of exercise – either around streets and parks or inside the gym. If you want to be a part of the statistics, you’re in for a treat as running offers a lot of benefits to those who consistently do it. But which type works best: running outside vs a treadmill?

Is it better to run outside or on a treadmill?

Runners have always had a view on whether treadmill running is easier than doing it outdoors. Michael Mosley weighs up his options.

For those of us who rather optimistically made a New Year’s resolution to do a bit more exercise, running is the obvious and popular option. But is it better to do your running outdoors, in the wind and rain, or to go down to your local gym and work up a sweat on the treadmill, while surreptitiously admiring your reflection in a giant mirror? Read More…

No matter which way you personally swing when it comes to running outside vs a treadmill, there are things all runners should remember to make the most out of the exercise. These include:

• Listening to what your body is telling you. Developing the right running style is integral to reaping the full benefits of the exercise. Before you start, do a head-to-toe inventory to assess your physical status, and be particularly careful with how different body parts are positioned. For instance, your neck and shoulders should be relaxed; your hips should also be aligned with your shoulders. Relax your hands, as well, and your arms should be bent in such a way as to form a natural arc from the hip to the center line.
• Warming up properly. This should come as no surprise, but it’s surprising how many runners fail to do this before a run. Warming up preps your body for the exercise, and it does not matter which side you take where running outside vs a treadmill is concerned. If you like to run after a day in the office, especially, loosening up is important.
• Developing your cadence. Finally, create a routine that you are comfortable with. One particular component of this is your cadence. 180 strides for both feet is considered ideal, but this can vary according to the length of your legs. If you can only do around 160, try taking quicker and shorter strides.

Image Credit: Is it better to run outside or on a treadmill – BBC News 

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