I am currently using a treadmill for running everyday, I feel I get a great workout and I enjoy running. A friend of mine was telling me I should go to a track and run, he said running on a treadmill for 2 miles is like running at a track for 1/2 a mile, I personaly disagree with that, but does he have a point on what he is saying ?
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treadmill or running on track ?
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Difference
The key differences for me in track vs treadmill:
#1: Air temperature, harsh temperatures affect my breathing and make it much more difficult to continue exercise outside where as inside on a tread mill it is usually average room temp. (Cold burns my lungs and heat isn't usually a problem)
#2: Pacing, I SUCK at pacing. I mean suck. I've been running for years and I just freaking suck at this(of course I've never tried any technology like this Nike PLus and Ipod stuff to help me monitor pace) but that makes a huge diff for me. On a tread mill I let something control my rate, outside I just run. The problem with this is I'm a natural sprinter, so not running 4x harder is REALLY hard outside, which could make 2 miles feel like 1/2 real fast...
Just a couple ideas, otherwise I'd say it is the same thing. Distance is distance no matter how it is obtained. (Can't even argue incline since tracks are flat as well and treadmills can include incline features.)
The key differences for me in track vs treadmill:
#1: Air temperature, harsh temperatures affect my breathing and make it much more difficult to continue exercise outside where as inside on a tread mill it is usually average room temp. (Cold burns my lungs and heat isn't usually a problem)
#2: Pacing, I SUCK at pacing. I mean suck. I've been running for years and I just freaking suck at this(of course I've never tried any technology like this Nike PLus and Ipod stuff to help me monitor pace) but that makes a huge diff for me. On a tread mill I let something control my rate, outside I just run. The problem with this is I'm a natural sprinter, so not running 4x harder is REALLY hard outside, which could make 2 miles feel like 1/2 real fast...
Just a couple ideas, otherwise I'd say it is the same thing. Distance is distance no matter how it is obtained. (Can't even argue incline since tracks are flat as well and treadmills can include incline features.)
I would say there is a difference between moving your feet back and forth over a belt moving in the opposite direction (on a treadmill) and actually propelling your body forward over the ground. I'm not sure which requires more muscles, ballance, coordination, concentration... and therefore more effort, but there is definately a slightly different action required. It might even be that for some people one is more difficult than the other and vice versa for other individuals depending on your bone length, muscle structure, gate, form, etc.
I'd think that you'd still be doing the exact same function, you'd be moving your legs forward, the only difference I can see(Understand I am not an expert nor am I trying to be one, just thinking aloud) is environment control. Maybe a little different surface to run on. Either way you are moving your legs in an action to keep your body moving, just on a treadmill you aren't going anywhere... Treadmill just forces you to keep going and not change speed unless you control it to do exactly that. I really would like to see a test of this though.