Are treadmill miles as effective as real surface miles?

[StephinAL]

And have any of you trained exclusively on a treadmill? I don't really have a good safe place to run and have been running on my treadmill. On the rare occasion I drive to a track, I find it harder to run. I wonder if it is because on a treadmill my pace is set and I go faster than usual on a track. I have also not worked up to an incline run so my usual running surface is flat.

[momofkhm]

If you are running to lose weight, then yes. I lost weight when I was on a treadmill every day.

 

If you are training for a race, then I recommend running at least once a week on the roads, probably more. You can get the miles in, but they just feel different on the treadmill than on the roads. Also, your pace will be different. I went through a time that I was doing both - treadmill and trails. I was definitely slower on the trails. It was harder to run on the trails.

[Sugarfoot]

From what I've read about this, treadmill miles are usually a bit easier to run unless you've got an incline going. Your pace is incredibly even, the surface doesn't require any adjustments to be made, and those things add work to running. They just aren't there on a treadmill. I think it makes a big difference, though, when you start to add a bit of an incline, especially if you vary it through your run. All in all, safety would be my top priority. The difference between running outdoors and running on the treadmill isn't important enough to risk your safety.:)

[Makita]

Treadmill running is a little easier as the previous posters stated. To account for this, adjust the incline to 1% if possible.

 

You might also want to take a peek at the following website:

 

http://www.hillrunner.com/training/tmillchart.php

 

I used a treadmill almost exclusively for my 3rd marathon. It led to some minor burnout, but is certainly doable.

 

:)

[Sunny]

It is definately a good workout, but not the same as real surface walking or running. I was just asking the trainer TODAY about this!

He said the reason it is slightly easier is because the treadmill does not require you to propell yourself forward like in real surface running, because the treadmill is already in motion. This doesn't mean that it is not as good a workout, it is just not quite as efficient. Like the others said, raise the incline a bit or just run longer.

[LisaNY]

And have any of you trained exclusively on a treadmill? I don't really have a good safe place to run and have been running on my treadmill. On the rare occasion I drive to a track, I find it harder to run. I wonder if it is because on a treadmill my pace is set and I go faster than usual on a track. I have also not worked up to an incline run so my usual running surface is flat.

 

Steph, I've been told that working on an incline is better on your knees.

[chickenpatty]

When I ran my first 10k in April, I had "trained" exclusively on a treadmill set on an incline. The 10k course was relatively flat, but I tired so much faster than I did on my treadmill. Like someone else said, the treadmill is great for weight loss/staying in shape, but not so great for training (exclusively) for a race.

[Kathy in MD]

And have any of you trained exclusively on a treadmill? I don't really have a good safe place to run and have been running on my treadmill. On the rare occasion I drive to a track, I find it harder to run. I wonder if it is because on a treadmill my pace is set and I go faster than usual on a track. I have also not worked up to an incline run so my usual running surface is flat.

 

Running on a real surface will also force you to use more and different muscles to maintain your balance. I also know that walking/running strengthens the muscles and ligaments (?) that keep your ankles from turning and twisting as much.

 

OTOH, since I tend to walk instead of run, I have less nature to distract me from my workout if I'm on a treadmill so I work harder on a treadmill :)