Yesterday I embarked on a nice but exhausting 30 minute run around campus. As I was on my way back towards my house I encountered a daunting hill that quickly wore away at my leg muscles. Later that day I went to the gym to workout. As I sat down at the bench I noticed a lot of the other students making their way to the cardio section and hopping on the treadmills. At that moment my next blog topic popped into my head. Is there a better way to run? Can the benefits of running outdoors surpass running on a treadmill or vice versa? Everyone has their preference, some are die-hard treadmill enthusiasts and others won’t tie their laces unless they are going on a run outside. But beyond all the personal preferences and bias opinions, I wondered if there was science behind whether one was a better option or not. So I decided to go home and start researching all the aspects related to running outdoors and running on a treadmill.
Running on a treadmill has never really been my thing. I get too bored of just running in place and having to keep myself at a certain pace to avoid the embarrassment and potential hazard of falling off the rotating tread. When I have talked to others about why they prefer treadmills they always give me the same answers, “You can watch TV if you want” “It’s a cushy surface and more comfortable” “There’s no weather or temperature restrictions” and so on. And while yes it is nice to never have to worry about the weather turning on you mid-run or being afforded the luxury of watching TV as you run, you still have to wonder.. are you cheating yourself by choosing the treadmill? “On HSR your glutes and hamstrings are required to drag your foot backwards in order to propel your body forward. On a treadmill, the belt does this for you, thus creating an easier movement. African American sprinters have powerful glutes and hamstrings, 
hence the reason why they do so well at sprinting. With the easier movement being on the treadmill and your glutes and hamstrings not having to work as much (remember the belt is doing their job for them) they now have a tendency to go to sleep. I call it “Glute amnesia” and is a major cause for concern, given most 21st century occupations have people sitting all day. Another term for those who run a lot on treadmills is SAS. (Saggy Arse Syndrome) You can always tell someone who runs a lot on treadmills, as their bottoms start to sag through lack of glute activation.” Running on a treadmill is easier on your glutes and hamstrings which to me seems like you are cheating your way out of the full body workout running is suppose to give you.
On the other hand, running outside is my personal preference. Not only do i enjoy the right to run anywhere I want but I just find it flat out more enjoyable. People complain about the safety of it but if you are aware of your surroundings and stay off heavily trafficked roads then there is nothing to worry about. Running outdoors makes you use every muscle and joint in your fibers since there is always different terrains and elevations that you encounter. “Another important consideration is that the treadmill doesn’t have any way to simulate downhill running, which is 
essential if you are running an event that has uneven, or varied terrain. Similarly, there aren’t turns on a treadmill, which is another important adaptation your body needs to make if you plan to run outside.” Running outside is generally more motivating as well. You can’t just stop and get off, you must complete your distance goal. It also expends more calories so if you are looking to lose some weight a little quicker then hop off that treadmill. “This is due to the lack of wind resistance, terrain changes and because the treadmill belt helps propel you along.” You lose more calories due to the fact that on a treadmill you expend less energy.
In the end there wasn’t really a true answer when it came to which style of running was more beneficial. It could be due to the scientific improvements in workout equipment and treadmills. Some of the state of the art treadmills mimic outdoor running conditions. They come equipped with heart rate detectors, incline settings, hill-style running settings and all different types of speeds. So I ask you all, Would you rather run on a treadmill or go for a run outside?
SOURCES:
http://www.fiterazzi.com/2014/04/28/ask-the-trainer-treadmill-vs-running-outside/
http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/tipsandtricks/a/treadincline.htm
http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/tipsandtricks/a/treadincline.htm
I had no idea that my hamstrings weren’t very engaged when I run on a treadmill. While I was unaware of this, it makes sense. This post scares me (in a good way)! I like running on treadmills because it is less of a commitment. But now, knowing that I am not working my body to its full potential is a little frightening. What is the point of running if all my leg muscles aren’t being pushed to the limit? I think you did answer your question. Running outside is probably better for you because of the various terrains and muscle engagement. I guess treadmills aren’t terrible for you, but they probably are not the best choice. Now I know that I should be running outside more, so thank you!
When you described being able to make turns as an “important adaptation your body needs to make” it made me think of evolution. I was reminded of our first class when Andrew told us about that bird with the really long tail – what made that bird need to form such a long tail over time? I wonder if and how treadmills and other exercise machines could eventually make humans evolve in a certain way i.e. not being able to make turns, having a “saggy butt,” etc. Sometimes I feel like our society is heading towards Buy ‘n Large culture from Wall-E, but I sure hope I’m wrong!
Every time I go to the gym I start my workout by running a mile on the treadmill as a warm up. I seem to enjoy the treadmill better than outside because you can distance yourself and be done, rather then outside if you wander you have to keep going. I find your research interesting based on the strip causing you to use different muscles and some being used less then if you were outside. Good thing I used the stair master or elliptical after I run to get in more cardio and use different leg muscles that I guess aren’t being used on the treadmill. I will definitely take this blog post into consideration along with the idea of going for a run outside while it is still warm out. It is weird how the action of running can be so different in these areas.
I personally would choose to run outside than on a treadmill any day. I like having the freedom of choosing where I run compared to being stuck on a piece of equipment. I always wondered if there was a difference between the two and if one was better than the other. Running can put a lot of pressure on your knees and I’ve learned that running on a treadmill is actually better for you than running on pavement. I’ve heard of treadmills becoming more high tech and some even have google maps programmed that allows you to pick a location and then the screen shows the route as you run. I think this a pretty cool idea but I think I would still choose to run outside if I had the option.
Throughout high school, I ran competitively, competing for the track and cross country teams at my high school. I had never even been on a treadmill until my junior year. I hated it. I think the reason I hated a treadmill so much was because I felt pressured. I associate embarrassment with gyms and feel that everyone is watching me when I’m on a treadmill or using a machine or whatever the case is. I feel if I don’t live up to the expectations of those around me, I’m embarrassing myself. I’m sure no one was ever actually watching me to see how far I’ve gone or how fast my pace was, but it was always something ticking at the back of my mind. Maybe that could be a scientific hypothesis for why treadmills are better though. It, unfortunately and uncomfortably, made me run faster. On the other hand, I love running outside, but not so much through nature or streets. I love running on a track. I love the consistency it offers while also giving a slight change of scenery as you round about the 400 meters. I love how easy it is to measure in your head the distances you are going without a machine telling it to you. I absolutely despise hills, so the flat terrain that a track offers is honestly perfect. I really don’t have an answer for which is better, and I don’t think there even is an answer. I believe it is all up to personal preference.