Treadmill vs. Actual Running?

R

Rakoczy

0
Hi, I've just got some questions about how different running on a treadmill and actually is...

I had a home treadmill that I used to run on, but that broke, so now I go to the gym. Both treadmills had/have a max speed of 10 mph. So over the past couple months I've been doing a little bit of running on them and haven't been able to run faster than 10 mph.

It's gotten to the point that, if I push myself pretty hard, I can run 2 miles in 12 minutes, which is a sustained pace of 10 mph. for 12 minutes. I'm pretty happy with this, and I'm hoping that by around May I'll be able to get (on a good day) my 5k to around 18 minutes.

So here's my question:

Am I screwing myself for real running by doing this treadmill stuff? The biggest difference I can think of is that on a treadmill you don't have to determine your pace or really motivate yourself. You just have to keep up with the treadmill. I have a pretty high pain tolerance and am a little bit masochistic, so always pushing myself to keep going on the treadmill is no problem. I'm just worried that when the snow melts and I start running outside again, I'm not going to have a clue how to pace myself.

Also, for football training:

Sprinting is the most important, but that's not really an option, so I have to do distance stuff. Now I've heard a couple different thoughts on what paces to train at:

a) I've heard that football players don't want to jog, like ever, because they want their bodies to naturally push the sprint.

b) I've heard that training at a slower pace but longer distance (or on a treadmill, time) will make you run faster at a slower pace.

I want to be able to run hard, jump, and dive all game long, but I also want to make sure that when I am running hard it's fast as I can possibly make it. What's your thoughts on this?
 
You've got a "too good" problem, mate. I would have recommended HIIT (see the stickies) for you, but the treadmill doesn't move fast enough for you. 6 flat minute miles is smoking! For most folks, the treadmill is a reasonable indoor alternative (no cars, no dogs) that does simulate outdoor running and for most folks, HIIT on a treadmill is fine because most people can't crank out 6 minute miles.

I would look for some type of indoor track or a faster treadmill and take up HIIT.

And, yes, for sports, like football, that require fast twitch responses, long, slow runs are of minimal benefit except to get the person into a basic level of fitness, which you already exceed.
 
I know opinions differ on this subject but in my personal experience, actual running (outside or indoor track), is far more effective than running on a treadmill. When I'm on a treadmill, it just feels that the treadmill is doing so much work for you, making it too easy. I always feel guilty when I replace real running with treadmill running. However, as you said, with all the snow, sometimes there's no choice.
 
I'll tell you, I went straight from the gym to run my first 5k and within the first 10 minutes I realized a few things:

1. Cement is not the same as rubber
2. I have no idea how to pace myself without an LED

I made it through actually faster than I do on the treadmill, but I did get winded unexpectedly and my feet weren't prepared for the streets (granted I went with some light and thin running shoes).

I'd run outdoors once a week or something just to keep used to it.
 
Treadmill adjustment to simulate Outisde Running

I have found that setting the treadmill to elevation of 1.5% is rougly equivalent to running outside. Please don't leave your treadmill on zero % and assume the same benefit...
 
I don't really like treadmills and I believe that they harm your body. Everyone I know that mostly uses a treadmill could not do very good when actually running on the track. They get tired fast. I have asked a few people in the weightroom before "do you ever run on the track?" and guess what is their answer? "No, too hard and I get really tired".

If you could do actual running, you could defiantly run on the treadmill.
If you could run on the treadmill, you should be able to do actual running a lot more than you use the treadmill.

Do not just do the treadmill only. You can just do the actual running if you want, but if you just do the treadmill, you will be out of shape when it comes to actually running. I also hear that a treadmill is not good on the knees
 
I recommend doing both indoor and outdoor running. Why worry about what benefits one or the other provides when you can do both?

In my opinion, I believe it depends on the frame of mind. If you read over the posts here on the forum, for example, you will notice three different opinions, all of which are valid. One says it feels like "cheating" when you're on the treadmill. While the other says he can notice a difference. And the last feels that an elevated run will match outdoor running. Again, it really depends on many factors to get these three opinions: your body structure (most importantly your pressure points and how you stand), the shoes you are wearing, the surface you are running on (being on grassy field is far different than being on a slanted road, and even more different than running on a track). So basically, try them all out, experiment, and go with the one you feel safe with.
 
If I can run outside then I do. I would much rather be out in the open and looking at different things. The good thing about running outside is that you cant just stop and walk off because you got tired you have tyo run all the way home or back to your car etc.
 
I definately tend to feel the workout more if im running outside, it also does help you naturally workout the different ground and your not always running in a straight line. I think when your on a treadmill everything is set up for u and u just follow the treadmill in a straight line and that doesnt seem to train the body as much.
 
when you run on a treadmil, the treadmil is driven by a motor. The treadmil pushed your legs back instead of your glutes and hams (like they would in real running) thus, it's just not the same.
 
xswtsalvationx0 said:
I don't really like treadmills and I believe that they harm your body.
Click to expand...
Are you kidding!? Treadmills are much better for your body due to the impact in comparison to road running.

I find that when I road run I go a lot faster and can really feel it the next day compared to when I do an hours run on the treadmill it's so consistant but I still enjoy it.
 
DEF said:
I'll tell you, I went straight from the gym to run my first 5k and within the first 10 minutes I realized a few things:

1. Cement is not the same as rubber
2. I have no idea how to pace myself without an LED
Click to expand...


this is so true. I used to go on a tredmil for 40 minutes daily when I started dieting and after some months I hit the streets and after 20 minutes I was very tired. When I jog for about 30-35 minutes outdoors my legs hurt etc but I just feel exahusted and sweaty after 40mins of tredmil. But tredmil in winter is so nice heheheh
 
I try to avoid the treadmill unless I have absolutely no other option. Even now during the early winter, going out for a few miles at 40 degrees is so much nicer than being in some stuffy gym watching a TV or the LED screen. And for me, running on the road seems to treat my knees better than the treadmill. Not sure why, but that's just me.
 
wow you are really booking it out there! I would have to say that no matter how hard you train running on the treadmill is not going to give you the speedy results you would see on the road. The unlevelness, hills, and general terrain is going to help strengthen your ankles and get your legs stronger than the treadmill. They always say when studying for a test to study it in as real a situation as possible. Same goes for running!
 
I'm different. When I run on a treadmill I get winded faster than actual running. It's probably because I run on the road or on a track way more often than on a treadmill. I can run a mile in under 6 minutes pretty easily on a track but on a treadmill I struggle to run a 7:30 mile. I guess it depends what your used to.
 
Treadmills are sprung and so provide a cushioning effect for your ankles and knees. If you have problems with joint stability or ligament problems in your knees, I'd definately go for the treadmill. For you though, you sound like your body just wants to power on and limiting yourself to the treadmill might be a bit of a waste.

I prefer outdoor running because I tend to get bored with the treadmill and the ones at my gym have a 20 minute limit on them and so automatically go to cool down after that - very annoying. Also I can do it, when I want - not when the gym is open or when I can get a machine.

Depending on your resistance training experience, (you need to have done resistance training for atleast 2 years to do these types of movements) try doing some explosive movements and plyometrics - it will help develop muscular power, help you take off rapidly with your sprints, jump higher.

I just did a quick search on exrx for you and found this book. I thought it might be useful
High-Powered Plyometrics
 
ireall like running outside more and it also depends from day to day how good am i each day... try listetnig to music while running and choose one specific song so the rythm gives you the same pace all the time... i would also like to know more about getting faster and stuff... thx xD and sory bout my english xD
 
well i think that like most things in life balance is the key here

treadmill in my opinion is great for beginners in running or for people who just want to jog a little with little to none distractions, but its no way substitute for actual running.

like someone said running in rubber its way easier that actual Cement :p
the machine doest the pacing for you, its one of the hardest thing to me in running ... to learn the pace that i am able to go to a determinate distance.
and formost in treadmills youre always running at the same inclination (of course you can change it but its not the same) and in real running you have ups and downs which really hurt :yelrotflmao:

i tend to run in treadmills 2-3 days a week after the Weight Training in the gym just to relax a bit, and do street running in the rest of the days i work out... works for me

and im no expert but i really doub you can train speed in a treadmill ... think its more logical to go to a track and speed like crazy to improve it or something
 
treadmills pull your legs back for you, when you run outside YOU have to use your muscles to pull the legs back, that's a big difference.
 
I think if your just looking for cardio vascular health on its own and dont wanna run any marathons and win the gold metal the bike is the best :) easy on your body and will allow you to push yourself allot more without the soreness of running but then again if you ever want to do real running your gonna suck at it lol
 
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