Posted on September 04, 2015 by Kate Halsall

Is running on the treadmill better for your joints? Is running outside physically harder than running indoors? Does different terrain make a difference? This blog is going to look at the pros and cons of outdoor vs indoor running to help you make an informed decision about which one is right for you.

PRO’s:

Indoors

• No weather conditions to contend with. You don’t have to worry about wearing layers as it’s warm and well lit, there’s no wind or rain to contend with.
• You can stop when you want. Maybe you pushed it too hard to start with or are just generally tired, the treadmill has a great big red stop button which means you don’t have to worry about getting home.
• Brilliant for beginners. If you’ve never really run before, the treadmill is a brilliant way to start as you’re in control of your speed, of how far you go and you don’t have to keep up with anyone.
• Slightly more cushioned run. Treadmills are designed to absorb some of the shock when your feet hit the ground.
• Don’t have to plan a running route. Treadmills have some great pre-set programmes enabling you to do intervals, sprints, inclines, and mix up the speeds.
• Easy to track progress. The treadmill tells you how fast you’ve run on average over a kilometre or mile, how far you’ve travelled and so on – great useful stats.
• Maintaining pace. Treadmills are great for maintaining a consistent pace and not setting off too fast!

Outdoors

• Variety of terrain. It helps to develop different running techniques, uses your muscles in different ways so is great for cross training and it keeps your running varied.
• Great group training. You can run with other people – running clubs, friends, partners, making it a great social activity.
• Scenery. Regardless whether you’re city centre or country based, there will be sights to see on your running routes.
• Endless routes. The world is your oyster! You just need to decide how far you want to run and which way you’ll run it.
• Fresh air. Regardless of the weather there is real fresh air to fill those lungs with.
• Even though the treadmill may seem more appealing for beginnners so they don’t get lost, then you can always choose to do laps around a park until you build up your confidence.
• Stats! There are some amazing apps and watches out there to track your routes, paces, distances so you can measure your progress.

CON’s:

 Indoors

• Lonely. You can’t run with other people, its a singular sport.
• The scenery never changes. Regardless of whether there are televisions or not, the walls never change.
• You’re not in full control. Come on admit it – the conveyer belt helps keep those legs moving, helps to keep you at the same speed and depending on what you read, doesn’t use your hamstrings to their full extent.
• There are no social sporting events which have treadmills as part of them!
• Whilst you can change the speed and incline, the intensity you work at on a treadmill will never fully mimic the intensity of a run outdoors.

Outdoors

• Weather. Cold, rain, ice, snow, heat – it’s variable and you need to be prepared and organised.
• Can be dangerous. Uneven ground, traffic (both human and cars), poor lighting and unsafe areas.
• You need to know where you’re going. Or at least have gps otherwise there is the potential to get lost!

Regardless of where you run, its an impact exercise, so you should choose your preference based what motives you. The treadmill is ideal if you want to fit a quick run into your schedule but haven’t got the all weather kit you need for outside. It’s also a great place to start for new runners. But personally, you can’t beat the outdoors and running with other people.  It’s great to have a variety of routes, and running with people of mixed abilities helps to keep you going or challenge you.

If you live in Leeds and fancing joining the motive Running Club we meet every Monday at 6pm at the Northern Monk (next door to the motive8 Studio at Marshall Court).