Treadmill VS Road ? - Ausbb

24-08-2009, 05:34 PM

Hi all

I have decided that is time that i take up running so starting tomorrow i am going to be hitting the treadmill in a bid to get fit for summer

I have head different things some people say that road running is better while others say treadmill is better

Anybody point in the direction and some good techniques to concentrate on

Thanks in advance
William

24-08-2009, 06:29 PM

I (luckily) have the luxury of both.

For cardio like High Intensity Interval Training the treadmill is king IMO. There's no guessing times, and the speed is constant which is impossible on the road as you may feel like your running at a certain speed but in reality you aren't after your body is depleted. A treadmill is unforgiving for that LOL

For endurance style training the road is numero uno. The main reason is the boredom factor. Unless you have a tele viewable from the treadmill it can be really boring running on the thing for more than an hour. On the road you have different stimuli and conditions to keep you awake and there's the "I need to keep going to get home" factor.

Both have there own strengths and weakness and ultimately it depends on what you want to do.

Kyle Aaron · 24-08-2009, 06:52 PM

The road can be a bit hard on your back and knees, if you do all the concrete and asphalt routes. If you can do the dirt and grass routes, that's better.

Grass/dirt > treadmill rubber > concrete/asphalt

But as Ed said, treadmills give you more fine-tuning options, but are boring for long distances.

24-08-2009, 09:06 PM

thanks guys for the quick replies
i think i will be hitting the pavement rather then the treadmill because of the boredom factor

Kyle Aaron · 24-08-2009, 09:22 PM

Got any parks near your place? That can make it more pleasant. Look up your home on google maps and keep your eyes open for green...

breebreerocks · 24-08-2009, 10:42 PM

People have a different stride and strike action of the road than they do on a treadmill.

Treadmill runners tend to propel themselves upwards rather than forward, road running tends to work the leg muscles more due to undulations in the surface and propelling yourself forward takes more effort. Of course, injury can be an issue running outdoors due to uneven surfaces, so make sure you get some decent shoes.

Still, HIIT is much easier on a treadmill because you can force yourself to go a certain speed, bit tricky on the road!

I can not run in a gym. Get super bored, but can run for ages outside. Just feels better.

upg · 25-08-2009, 12:57 AM

treadmill is shit

pulls your leg through instead of using your muscles to do the movement.

kyle invest in some decent shoes
kayanos are decent

have been looking for some nike free's as i have heard good things about them

25-08-2009, 02:27 AM

if you want good running shoes ya dont buy Nike you buy Brooks or Asics...

you cant beat the open road but sometimes you dont have the added time of running somewhere only to have to run home again hence the treadmill, but i suggest downloading the beep test (shuttle run) from itunes or preferably a free download site then set out 20m and let it rip even put it on your ipod or burn to cd and get a few ppl involved its always more do able with company then you can work on getting higher and higher through the test then you will be no shit fitter then most....

Fadi · 25-08-2009, 06:10 AM

William, I don't like running full stop. But if it is an exercise you'll find yourself consistent with; then running would suddenly be transformed to be the best exercise in the world for you.

It's no different than asking which is the best diet in the world? The one you can stick with would be the answer.

Fadi.

breebreerocks · 25-08-2009, 08:48 AM

Asics and Brooks do not make the best running shoes. It is a massive fallacy. There are shoes on the market that do a better job than Kayanos for a much smaller price tag. People assume they are and know nothing about the other footwear on the market.

Nike Frees are only suitable for those with a relatively neutral action who do not need a lot of cushioning and aren't too heavy in terms of weight.

The best shoe is the one that is best suited to your stride and strike action. There are a few physios about who will watch you run and prescribe the correct shoe. You strike differently when you run to when you walk, so I often see people fitted in incorrect footwear.

24-08-2009, 05:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
william Guest Posts: n/a	Treadmill VS Road ? Hi all I have decided that is time that i take up running so starting tomorrow i am going to be hitting the treadmill in a bid to get fit for summer I have head different things some people say that road running is better while others say treadmill is better Anybody point in the direction and some good techniques to concentrate on Thanks in advance William

24-08-2009, 06:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
Kyle Aaron Active Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Melbourne Gender: Posts: 3,682	The road can be a bit hard on your back and knees, if you do all the concrete and asphalt routes. If you can do the dirt and grass routes, that's better. Grass/dirt > treadmill rubber > concrete/asphalt But as Ed said, treadmills give you more fine-tuning options, but are boring for long distances. __________________ Recent clients' best results: BW +10kg/-27kg ... BF-11% ... ♀/♂1RM/kg SQ65/145 OHP30/65 DL75/170 "fitness and lifting is just an interest I have. Plain and simple. Some people like music, others like shopping, I like deadlifts." - a client[/SIZE]

24-08-2009, 09:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
Kyle Aaron Active Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Melbourne Gender: Posts: 3,682	Got any parks near your place? That can make it more pleasant. Look up your home on google maps and keep your eyes open for green... __________________ Recent clients' best results: BW +10kg/-27kg ... BF-11% ... ♀/♂1RM/kg SQ65/145 OHP30/65 DL75/170 "fitness and lifting is just an interest I have. Plain and simple. Some people like music, others like shopping, I like deadlifts." - a client[/SIZE]

25-08-2009, 12:57 AM	#7 (permalink)
upg Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Perth, WA Gender: Posts: 206	treadmill is shit pulls your leg through instead of using your muscles to do the movement. kyle invest in some decent shoes kayanos are decent have been looking for some nike free's as i have heard good things about them Last edited by upg; 25-08-2009 at 01:00 AM.

25-08-2009, 06:10 AM	#9 (permalink)
Fadi Super Moderator Ausbb's resident Yoda Join Date: Jul 2009 Gender: Posts: 3,415	William, I don't like running full stop. But if it is an exercise you'll find yourself consistent with; then running would suddenly be transformed to be the best exercise in the world for you. It's no different than asking which is the best diet in the world? The one you can stick with would be the answer. Fadi. __________________ Squat 200kg, FSquat 195kg, C&J 160kg, PC 140kg, MP 90kg.

24-08-2009, 06:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
EdCid Guest Posts: n/a	I (luckily) have the luxury of both. For cardio like High Intensity Interval Training the treadmill is king IMO. There's no guessing times, and the speed is constant which is impossible on the road as you may feel like your running at a certain speed but in reality you aren't after your body is depleted. A treadmill is unforgiving for that LOL For endurance style training the road is numero uno. The main reason is the boredom factor. Unless you have a tele viewable from the treadmill it can be really boring running on the thing for more than an hour. On the road you have different stimuli and conditions to keep you awake and there's the "I need to keep going to get home" factor. Both have there own strengths and weakness and ultimately it depends on what you want to do.

24-08-2009, 09:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
william Guest Posts: n/a	thanks guys for the quick replies i think i will be hitting the pavement rather then the treadmill because of the boredom factor

24-08-2009, 10:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
breebreerocks Elite Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sydney Gender: Posts: 668	People have a different stride and strike action of the road than they do on a treadmill. Treadmill runners tend to propel themselves upwards rather than forward, road running tends to work the leg muscles more due to undulations in the surface and propelling yourself forward takes more effort. Of course, injury can be an issue running outdoors due to uneven surfaces, so make sure you get some decent shoes. Still, HIIT is much easier on a treadmill because you can force yourself to go a certain speed, bit tricky on the road! I can not run in a gym. Get super bored, but can run for ages outside. Just feels better.

25-08-2009, 02:27 AM	#8 (permalink)
ChrisOX Guest Posts: n/a	if you want good running shoes ya dont buy Nike you buy Brooks or Asics... you cant beat the open road but sometimes you dont have the added time of running somewhere only to have to run home again hence the treadmill, but i suggest downloading the beep test (shuttle run) from itunes or preferably a free download site then set out 20m and let it rip even put it on your ipod or burn to cd and get a few ppl involved its always more do able with company then you can work on getting higher and higher through the test then you will be no shit fitter then most....

25-08-2009, 08:48 AM	#10 (permalink)
breebreerocks Elite Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sydney Gender: Posts: 668	Asics and Brooks do not make the best running shoes. It is a massive fallacy. There are shoes on the market that do a better job than Kayanos for a much smaller price tag. People assume they are and know nothing about the other footwear on the market. Nike Frees are only suitable for those with a relatively neutral action who do not need a lot of cushioning and aren't too heavy in terms of weight. The best shoe is the one that is best suited to your stride and strike action. There are a few physios about who will watch you run and prescribe the correct shoe. You strike differently when you run to when you walk, so I often see people fitted in incorrect footwear.