You’ve probably heard of treadmill running benefits to the runners. However, you happily dismiss them as you belong to Team Outdoor Running.
You know how great to run outdoors. The fresh air; sunshine with white clouds; the plants and trees; the birds……
You feel energetic for every breath you take when running outdoors. And this is exactly why so many people prefer running outdoors. – It is a PERFECT workout to enjoy the beauty of the nature and get healthy and fit!
Despite your preference, if you go to the gym, usually you’ll notice the treadmills are always almost occupied. In fact, treadmill is a very popular workout equipment at the gym.
Why do people run on treadmill instead they could run outdoors? – Running on treadmill is so damn boring……
Well, we couldn’t deny there are several factors and reason to explain why treadmill is a popular workout equipment.
Here, let’s check out 8 common treadmill running benefits which you easily can gain!
1. Convenient
Let’s picture this in our mind. We run outdoors because of the nice weather, especially running on a sunny day. We feel an instant mood boost because we are surrounded by the nature – the crystal clear blue sky; the birds; the wind……
But, what about bad days? Raining, thunderstorm, snow, air pollution, you name it……
Among the treadmill running benefits, this is the main beauty of treadmill running. If you love running very much, you don’t have to feel demotivated of not able to run outdoors on these bad days. – You can still run on treadmill!
Likewise, even if you are an outdoor runner, you despise running outdoors in the afternoon under the hot sun. – Who likes to feel like a roasted chicken and get sunburn when running outdoors?
If you don’t have flexible time to run or it is inconvenient to run outdoors for you, running on treadmill is definitely a good option for you. There are some 24/7 gyms too. You can hit the gym ANYTIME you want!
Sometimes, you may be surprised by the various functions of the treadmills. But, don’t be overwhelmed by those functions. Because you only need to know how to adjust the pace and the gradient / incline. – And that’s all!
These two features are STRAIGHTFORWARD and all you need to do is just press the numbers or arrows accordingly. After that, there you go and start running!
2. Safety
Running outdoors inherently can actually threaten our safety. The safety issues include ACCIDENT and CRIME. Thus, running on treadmill helps avoid those safety issues.
Avoid accidents
Running outdoors is not always running on the empty trails or open space, but sometimes we run on the streets or roads. Those streets or roads are filled with the pedestrian, cars, bikes, and trucks.
So, we have to keep observing and have to be REALLY mindful when running outdoors. We are too focused on surrounding.
For example, if we want to cross the stress, we need to stop running for a while and wait for the green light to cross the street. This definitely can discount your mood and joy for running outdoors.
And yet, no matter how careful and observant we are, accidents can still happen. The drivers may not comply with the traffic rule and hit you accidentally. Or, you cross the street when you are not supposed to……
Thus, choose running on treadmill to be safe so you don’t have to be distracted by the uncertainties on the streets or roads.
Avoid crimes
Do you like running outdoors by yourself at night or before the dawn? Although it is a very good moment to solely be yourself, you need to consider your own safety for running outdoors at those moments.
The crimes relate to running outdoors include sexual harassment, rape or even murder. There are quite a number of reported cases of female runners being raped, attacked or even murdered while they were running outdoors. As a result, it raises the awareness of the safety of female runner running outdoors.
In fact, although the issues are relating to female runners, male runners should also need to be extra vigilant when running outdoors, too. So, if you plan to run outdoors especially at night or before the dawn, make sure you at least have a running partner, male partner preferably, to run with you.
Of course, if you choose to run on treadmill, you save all these problems. Firstly, the gym should provide you sufficient security. Secondly, you don’t have security issue at all if you run on treadmill at home.
3. Perfect workout during pandemic
This pandemic turns the world upside down. This pandemic causes the government of the countries to impose stay home order to combat COVID-19. Some countries impose strict lockdown which prohibits people having outdoor activities.
Many of us are restricted from / avoid running outdoors because of the pandemic. Because of this, many people lacks exercise while staying at home, worse still, they tend to eat more.
We indulge ourselves by eating and give ourselves excuses of unable to exercise because of the lockdown. And you could’ve have guessed, our weight gains. – In fact, we are actually experiencing something called Pandemic Weight Gain.
Guys, stop giving ourselves excuse of not able to work out because we are unable to go out. In fact, we can choose indoor workout!
So, if you have a treadmill at home, this is a bliss and privilege that you have! Or, you can consider buying a treadmill to run at home because you avoid all those unnecessary risks of infecting COVID-19.
Yeah, buying a treadmill, sometimes, is really costly. But, let’s treat it as an investment. Considering the convenience and guaranteed safety for running on treadmill, you can run ANYTIME you like.
With this, you don’t have to be frustrated or upset of not be able to run. And, this really helps you motivated to stay fit and healthy!
So, the benefit of having a treadmill at home really outweighs the cost. Think about it.
4. Specific training
Alright, you want a specific training to test and improve your running performance, like running uphill for certain amount of time at the fixed speed, or running at specific pace for certain amount of time.
Then, you’ll notice treadmill can cater your specific needs! This is why treadmills provide various functions and measurement to measure your performance. – Amongst the treadmill running benefits, you can’t enjoy this benefit if you run outdoors.
Well, people may argue that running outdoors are better for training purpose because of the higher intensity and the stimulation on the legs muscle to work differently. – Yes, I agree.
However, try to think about it. For example, if you want to specifically run 5% gradient uphill for 1 km, can you find the exact outdoor to allow you to run with this condition? – It’s just an example where we couldn’t control the degree and the length gradient while running outdoors.
Furthermore, some people invest in smart watch to track their running performance when running outdoors. But, bear in mind there are quite a lot of runners (like me) who don’t have a smart watch.
This turns out the runners run aimlessly without knowing the running performance. Running on treadmill, however, allows us to check how long and how intense we run, even for recreational running.
5. Mental training
It is undeniable that running on treadmill is boring. That is why some runners jokingly refer treadmill as “dreadmill”.
You have all those thoughts like “when is it going to end?” or “goodness, I wish this could end soon!” when running on treadmill. You feel like you have run for 3 years but in fact, you just run for 30 minutes.
Well, if you want to train for running a marathon, you’ll definitely need to train for treadmill running.
Why?
Even though physical training is really important, mental training is equally important to run a marathon. Because when it comes to the second half of your run, most probably you are too exhausted and feel like you couldn’t run any longer.
And, what makes the thing worse is looking at the distance sign beside the road like “30 km”, which means you have 12.2km more to run with your jelly legs. Then you feel it takes FOREVER to run the 12.2km.
That is why the “dreadmill” helps you train your mental strength. You exactly need to run with those boredom and negative thoughts. You mental strength kicks in to help you complete your marathon!
6. Easier run
Apart from the treadmill running benefits above, technically it is easier to run on treadmill than run outdoors.
It is shown that the effort of 1% gradient treadmill running is about the same as outdoor running with no gradient, which means it is easier to run on treadmill.
For those who prefer easier run, especially for beginner runner, running on treadmill is definitely better for you to start your running journey.
Because some people may feel stressful to run outdoors due to the additional effort and the uncertainty to run outdoors. And, this may demotivate them to run.
Also, if you hit the gym and want to focus on your strength workout, you can also consider running on treadmill as your warming-up session.
You don’t have to break your sweat. You just need to loosen and warm up your muscle before you jump to your strength workout.
Or, if you want to run with the similar intensity as running outdoors, you can just easily adjust the gradient to 1%. – It is that simple!
7. Can be fun!
“The dreadmill is damn boring. I couldn’t even imagine how people enjoy running on the dreadmill. To me, it takes forever to run!”
What the runners refer is the common perception about treadmill. Well, you can easily change something to make it fun to run on treadmill!
Firstly, feeling bored and stressed with the data on the monitor of the treadmill? Well, just use a cloth or towel to cover it up, so you don’t have to be demotivated by the slooooooow “countdown”.
Secondly, need some entertainment while running on treadmill? No problem, use headphone to listen to your favourite music. Or, indulge yourself by watching your favourite TV shows or drama on an iPad, place it in front of the monitor of the treadmill.
So, you are watching your favourite shows or drama and working out at the same time. In fact, this helps save you a lot of time and you could use the additional time for other productive work!
At least, Mo Farah, long-distance Olympic gold medalist and marathon runner, enjoys treadmill running. In fact, he finds that treadmill running is bliss.
He has his own “man cave” – a place where includes a treadmill and some workout equipment; a place where he spends time with his family; a place where his kids use the treadmill as a toy!
8. Lower chance of injuries
We know that running is prone to knee or ankle injuries. This is due to the shock absorption of our feet when landing on the ground.
Pay attention to your feet when you run outdoors. Then, pay attention to your feet when you run on treadmill. Feel and compare the strength of the forces absorbed by your feet when you land.
Most probably you feel “softer” force when you run on treadmill. This is because the treadmill and the belt help lengthen the time to absorb the shock, and thus it reduces the impact to your ankle or knees.
So, it can potentially lower the chance of knee and ankle injuries as compared to outdoor running.
Also, there is a greater chance of spraining your ankles when you run outdoors because of the uneven surface of the road and trails. Likewise, you are less likely to sprain your ankle when running on treadmill.
Final thought: treadmill running benefits
Running outdoors is inevitably a preferable choice for some runners because of the freedom to run in nature. – In fact, I prefer running outdoors, too.
However, this doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t appreciate running on treadmill. There are so many treadmill running benefits!
For example, running on treadmill allows us to run whenever we like, especially in an extreme or harsh weather, and for those who can take care of their family and run at home at the same time.
Nowadays, the accidents and criminal cases suffered by the outdoor runners ring the alarm of the safety of outdoor runners. We have to consider more and to be extra vigilant and observant to ensure our safety is preserved.
But, we tend to ignore we can simply avoid this if we choose to run on treadmill.
Running on treadmill is not something we should despise. In fact, it should be no difference from running outdoors, but simply merely a choice or preference.
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