Treadmill vs. outdoor running has been long debated within the fitness community. So which one is better for you? We believe that the best answer is it depends on each individual. We will be discussing both the pros and cons of each to help you decide which is better for you.
Running in inclement weather is uncomfortable, even if you dress for it. When it’s hot, there is a risk of dehydration or heat exhaustion especially if you run during summer in Dubai. When you run inside on a treadmill, you’ll avoid these discomforts and risks. You also don’t have to worry about sunscreen or about over or underdressing and being caught far from home without the right gear.
If you’re training for a hilly marathon, you can run hills on the treadmill even if you don’t have access to a training route with hills. You can also try running on a treadmill to try out race day clothing and make sure your outfit will work for you.
It can be difficult to maintain a consistent pace when you’re outside. For this reason, running on a treadmill can be a good solution if you are coming back from an injury. The treadmill makes it easy to track your mileage pace.
Home treadmills allow you to run on your own time, even in bad weather, late at night, or when you need to do other tasks like maybe keeping an eye on your children. You can also listen to music, watch TV and still be able to run without needing to leave your house or gym.
Treadmills offer better shock absorption than pavement or roads which means less stress on the ankles and knees. When you run at an incline on the treadmill, you build strength and endurance just like you would running hills outside. But you don’t have to run downhill, which can be hard on your body.
Compared to running on a treadmill, you get more fresh air and sunshine when you run outdoors. This is great for getting your daily dose of vitamin D. Aside from that, running somewhere sunny can make you feel more alive and energetic. Getting some fresh air can also help you reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
Your body does the same thing on a treadmill as it does on a sidewalk, however, it feels astronomically harder on a treadmill. For some people, running on a treadmill can be boring since you’ll be staying in one place unlike running outdoors wherein you can enjoy the scenery, fresh air, and so much more.
Running outside versus on a treadmill provides a more natural opportunity when it comes to improvements in speed, strength, coordination, technique and endurance. Most especially when you live near the mountains or any running routes with inclines and declines which will challenge your legs more than running on a treadmill.
A lot of runners claim that when you run outdoors you won’t get bored which can cause you to naturally run more. It’s easier to persist when your sole focus isn’t the pain in your legs or lungs. When you run outdoors, you’ll have distractions to take your mind off the physical exertion such as the weather, the view, other people, vehicles, sounds and more.
When you run outdoors and wear a fitness tracker such as Apple Watch or Fitbit you can see all sorts of fun stats about your run. Depending on how hardcore of a runner you are, you can track simple stats such as distance, pace, calories burned and more. In the long run, you’ll be able to visualise your progress and enjoy looking back on the routes you’ve run.
Want to join a race event in Dubai this 2023? Check out the best running events in the city below:
The Mai Dubai Community Run previously called the Skechers Performance Run has 2.5 km, 5km, and 10km races available and it’s a family-friendly event which is great if you want to bring your family with you. The next race will take place on the 18th of March 2023. Register here.
Palm West Beach Run
No city in Dubai has a better combination of nature, love of sport and iconic infrastructure for hosting a beach run than in Palm Jumeirah. Come and explore and experience Palm West Beach in a whole new way.
The Mai Dubai City Half Marathon is one of the most popular running events in Dubai. The last Mai Dubai City Half Marathon occurred last 30th of October 2022. To be updated on the next Mai Dubai City Half Marathon event, follow us at @promosevensports on Instagram.
The Bloomberg Square Mile Relay was held last 9th February 2023. The Bloomberg Square Mile Relay is the only corporate race in the world and anyone can enter as a team of 10 for a great team-building activity. Register now!