Debate: Treadmill vs Outdoor Running

There’s a joke about people getting stuck in traffic while they rush to the gym to run on a treadmill, when they could have just run outdoors instead. There are pros and cons on both sides of this coin, running indoors on a treadmill and running outdoors on the road. Yeah running on a 400m track is another option too. But for a long distance runner its preferable to be running from A to B instead of just round and round in a monotonous curve.

S: I love to run. Running takes me places. Except when I’m running because I’m running in one place.

On a treadmill that is. And that’s the best! (I’m just playing devil’s advocate here, since both of us prefer running outside)

Z: I love to run too. Running takes me places. Literally. No I do not run on a treadmill. Running in one place for hours on end is just not my thing.

S: You heard about the man who was advised by his doc to take up running?

Z: What about him?

S: I dunno. Me neither. He was never found. He kept running and he didn’t realize where he was after 10 days. Never seen or heard from again. Poor idiot just kept running. It’s a jungle out there! Where can you run?

Z: That’s the fun of it. You don’t know where you’re going but you just keep going.

S: So you just wake up, put on your shoes and start running in a random direction?

Z: Not when I know where I’m headed. Which I usually do. How amazing is it to explore different routes, go to places you’ve never been to before, see things you’ve never seen before, while keeping yourself fit at the same time. My sympathies to the man who’s been lost for 10 day. He should have known better than that.

S: As amazing as the probability of not getting rear ended by a car, chased by a dog, or being accused of fleeing a scene of crime. Run on the roads! Wham! Hit by a car. Run on the tracks! Apply brakes, there are oblivious slowpokes in front of you

Z: Heard of pavements?

S: Yeah, heard of hawkers? Anyway the main reason why I prefer running indoors, is the weather.

Z: At 6 am, trust me, there aren’t too many of those. An air conditioned gym you mean?

S: Yeah. And on a treadmill you can run anytime, not just 6am. But the main issue I have is the weather.

Z: As opposed to the lovely wind blowing outside on a rainy day, or watching the first rays of the sun hit you on a summer morning.

Or even for that matter the cool breeze in the air on a chilly evening.

S: Catch a cold or a heat stroke? If those are the choices I’ll remain in bed.

Z: Or morning. Worse than sweating it out in an air conditioned room?

S: Its safe. You don’t get mugged or hit by vehiceles. Plus safe for your legs. Another main factor in its favour, lesser pressure on the knee joints.

Z: Hence running on the roads is an activity only meant for 12 year olds and up.

S: Ok forget the vehicle part, but you have to concede the safety of the knees, on soft treadmill vs pavement.

Z: And if you can’t save yourself from vehicles on the road, then I think its just best you stay in bed.

S: Yeah, or run on a treadmill.

While there are some very obvious pros of running outside, running on the treadmill also may have its own set of benefits that come along with it. For instance, it saves you the effort of actually getting out of your comfort zone, if you have a gym at home or in the office that is. Or even if you have one close by. Running on a treadmill also adds the “cool” factor to your workout. People these days think running on the road is passé, imagine what a bunch of strangers on the road would think if they saw me running! Thats how a typical teenager today would think.

Sure, running on the treadmill is more comfortable as issues of weather and traffic are completely ruled out. Stormy weather outside would in no way be detrimental to your workout as opposed to running on the road. Also, the different profiles that you can chose from on the treadmill could make your workout less monotonous (than it already is) and suit your demands of training.

Having said the above, it is, however, important to note that it is a scientific fact that running outside does burn more calories than running on a treadmill. Treadmill running is a little less challenging than road running. Apart from the obvious benefits of running outdoors like acclimatizing yourself to different weather conditions, getting used to running on different surfaces, exploring different routes, being one with nature, etc., road running acts as a greater benefactor as the wind outside provides the resistance to the runner which is not available on the treadmill. Also, the treadmill belt also acts as a catalyst to the runner, requiring him to expend lesser energy to drive his weight forward.