so which is better? my friend told me that the real running is much better compared to threadmill....

to me i prefer the threadmill as i can be inside an area (whether air conditioned or not) and also watch tv...i know i am quite lazy...

so does anyone have any preferences?

p.s. i made extra effort today by running 20 min on the threadmill. my usual record is 10minutes. and i do feel leaner...hoping to run longer each time in the future

There is a huge difference between treadmill running & outdoor running. I do both. Outdoor running uses a lot more resistance. You do not have handle bars to grab hold of either. It is also much tougher on the joints. I run 3 miles a day on the treadmill ~ work. On the weekend, I run the neighborhood & find my hips just ache terribly after pounding on the concrete.
If you do a search of this forum, there is another thread out there where they disscussed what settings a treadmill would need to be at to mimic actual outdoor running.

Good luck!

Informative article


Energy Expenditure Comparisons for Running

By Rob Orr

This article examines various training methods available for running, and the impact of those methods upon energy expenditure.

Energy Expenditure

Energy expenditure is of primary importance to all runners. The more economical the technique, the more energy saved at a given intensity. This allows either an increase in workload or an energy saving. This would mean that differences in efficiency greatly effect the training effort. Mechanical running efficiency can differ up to 50 %, even amongst skilled runners (McArdle, Katch & Katch,1991). As McArdle, Katch & Katch et al. (1994) state ‘...distance athletes as a group tend to run with between 5 to 10 % more economy than well-trained middle-distance runners.’

Running vs Walking
There is a certain speed at which running becomes more economical than walking, this speed is said to be around 8.0 to 9.0 km/hr (McArdle, Katch & Katch 1991,p.180). The importance of this is clear for those athletes who participate in events that require an extended distance to be covered, eg. military pack marching, rogaining or long distance hiking, who believe that by walking fast instead of running they conserve more energy. As McArdle, Katch & Katch (1991,p.180) state ‘…the economy of walking faster than 8 km per hour was one-half of that for running at similar speeds.’

Shoe Weight

Even the weight of footwear effects energy expenditure. For every additional 100g of weight worn (per shoe), during moderate running, oxygen uptake is increased by 1 % McArdle, Katch & Katch (1991,p.179). However not only does the weight of the foot wear effect energy expenditure but so to does the cushioning. As McArdle, Katch & Katch (1991,p.179) state ‘...shoes with different cushioning properties also effect the economy of movement with a softer-soled running shoe reducing oxygen cost of running at a moderate speed by about 2.4 % compared to a similar shoe with a firmer cushioning system..’. Interestingly this was found with the softer-soled shoe being 31g heavier.

Air and Hills

Air resistance plays a large part in energy expenditure. Depending on speed, overcoming air resistance on a calm day can account for 3 to 9 % of the total energy (McArdle, Katch & Katch 1991,p,.195). It is commonly thought that the additional energy utilised running against the wind is saved on the return trip, with the wind at the back. However this is not the case, the gain over the return trip is not as large as the loss (deVries & Housh, 1994; McArdle, Katch & Katch,1991). The same applies for running hills, more energy is utilised running up hill than is ‘caught - up’ running back down (McArdle, Katch & Katch,1991).

Weights

Hand held weights do increase the metabolic cost of walking, however there is also an increase in systolic blood pressure, (which may be due to the ‘gripping’ of the hand weights.). They may therefore be contra-indicated for athletes suffering from hyper– tension (McArdle, Katch & Katch,1991). When considering running with hand weights, the increase in metabolic expenditure would be better acquired through increases in pace or distance, as the higher impact of running, combined with the increase in load, has the potential to lead to impact orientated injuries.

Training Methods

Speed assisted training
Speed assisted training is commonly used by athletes to ‘pattern’ their legs to higher stride frequencies. There are many methods of performing speed assisted training, from pre -stretched bungie cord to being pulled behind a bike or car. The most common method is down hill running. Be aware however that a decline greater than -20 is said to alter technique in a non productive fashion. Therefore, ‘The maximal downhill slope that can be used to increase running speeds is -20.’

Suspended Deep Water Running

SDWR is a training technique becoming more increasingly popular. It was designed in an attempt to produce similar cardio vascular conditioning for runners without the continuous impact of hard surface running (HSR). Due to the effect of water (as discussed in previous article) studies found that both max HR and max VO2 are lower. It should be noted that the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) for a set intensity was also lower in the SDWR than conventional HSR (Glass et al.,1995), participants thought that they where working harder than they actually were (Glass et al.,1995),. This could be caused by the increased resistance of the water, which results in greater lactate production. Becky et al (1995, as cited by Glass et al. 1995) in lieu of their findings suggested that "individuals using RPE to regulate their training intensities during SDWR should work at higher RPE levels than those on land’

Treadmill vs Hard Surface Running

As many of the regular users may already feel there is a big difference between running / walking on a treadmill and on the ground. As the tread rolls backward it drags the foot backwards eliminating the need for the hamstrings and gluteals to pull the upper body forward thus making the movement easier. However the hip flexors now have to work harder to move the foot being dragged backward, forward.

The machine also sets the pace, which may be useful in establishing the movement patterns and timing (rhythm) for a faster land pace. However, do not forget that when running on land, athletes may tend to slow down due to terrain, fatigue and other factors. A machine that maintains a set speed requirement does not necessarily improve the athletes’ mental concentration to maintain a pace.

Another considerable factor is the fact that skeletal impact is considerably less on the stride machine as there is a flexible-striding surface located underneath most stride belts. This cushions the impact, making it a valuable rehabilitation aid.

With all this in mind there may be little difference in energy expenditure between track and treadmill running. As McArdle, Katch & Katch (1991,p.188 – 189) state whilst referring to a study of eight distance runners conducting a protocol of treadmill and track running, ‘There was no measurable differences in the aerobic requirements of submaximal running (up to 286 m per min) on the treadmill or track (either on level or up a grade), or between the maximal oxygen consumption measured in both forms of exercise under similar environmental conditions.’

References

Glass,B., Wilson,D., Blessing,D., & Miller,E.,(1995). A physiological comparison of Suspended Deep Water Running to Hard Surface Running. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 9(1), pp.17 - 24.
Mc Ardle, W.D., Katch, F.I. & Katch, V.I., (1991). Exercise Physiology 3 rd Edition. Malvern PA : Lea & Febiger.

Hi - I only manage to get a run in 2 or 3 times a week, but I prefer to run outside. I don't have a treadmill at home, so I use the one at the gym if it's too cold, or hot, or rainy, or otherwise not nice. The problem is there's a 20 minute time limit so if someone else is waiting I have to get off and do something else. My runs still consist of running/walking, so they tend to take up a lot of time (1 hr for a total of running 3 miles, walking 2). I guess it's a matter of what you like best, how convenient it is for you, and how good you feel when you're done. Whatever works for ya!

You might want to consider doing a lower impact form of cardio, like the elliptical cross trainers, at least until you get closer to target. Running with all that extra weight can be *very* hard on your knees. Take it from someone who's made that mistake.