Should you consider a portion of your running/ walking week using a treadmill?<a href="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/ronnn.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-2802 size-medium" src="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/ronnn-300x199.jpg" alt="ronnn" width="300" height="199" /></a>

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Is running on a more forgiving and uniform surface better for your joints?

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Is a treadmill’s moving surface cheating? As in helping you lift and flick your supporting base of support.

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<blockquote><span style="color: #008080;">While I personally find it difficult to spend any great of time indoors on a treadmill, viewing the latest Kenyan Olympic Team training program, they now spend up to 50% of their total training time, which is mega minutes, using treadmills. So, who am I to ignore the Masters.</span></blockquote>
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Here’s a quick list of Pro’s &amp; Con’s for you to make your own mind up. Because, hey, there are simply times when hitting the tready for a short sharp workout is just plain old lifestyle friendly.
<span style="color: #993366;"><strong>Treadmill Running Pros:</strong></span>
• No weather, temperature, or terrain issues.<a href="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/tttbt.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-2801 size-medium" src="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/tttbt-300x220.jpg" alt="tttbt" width="300" height="220" /></a>
• Can stop anytime you need or want – this might be a bad thing!....actually, it is.
• Can workout while watching TV.
• Smooth, cushioned surface is usually easier on joints – particularly, if you’re just returning to mileage, you’re a little heavier than you’d like, you’re mashing out track like speed work, and, or your current technique is a little inefficient – where even mirror can assist.
• No concerns about personal safety – a positive certainly for females.
• Measurable and controlled (instant) feedback.
• Dictates a given (top end) intensity. As in, when holding say 20+kph.
• (Clean) Water is close at hand.
• You can run next to a training partner at your relative intensity.

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<span style="color: #993366;"><strong>Outdoor Running Pros:</strong></span>
• You can run anywhere.
• Can be used for transit – call it incidental training.
• You get to enjoy the scenery, fresh air (sort of), experience changing seasons, and simply enjoy nature – the way it was meant to be.
• Time is usually perceived to be faster (than treadmill miles).<a href="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/gngngghn.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-2803 size-full" src="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/gngngghn.jpg" alt="gngngghn" width="259" height="194" /></a>
• It's likely more motivating.
• Most people report a greater feeling of accomplishment running outside.
• You can take new routes and see something new every day.
• Your balance is naturally challenged and developed with changing terrains.
• You’re recruiting more functional systems in coordinating your stride – as in, there is slightly less hamstring engagement using treadmills.
• Less shin muscle group stabilising on impact. There is a short braking moment on support when using treadmills – occasionally this can lead to a “lactic burn” feeling in the lateral shin muscles.
• Output is absolute given wind resistance.

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<blockquote><span style="color: #008080;"><strong>NOTE</strong> - A 1% treadmill grade most accurately reflects the energetic cost of outdoor running. Journal of Sports Science, 1996 Aug;14(4):321-7. To pop your tready up to 1 – 1.5% gradient.</span></blockquote>
I certainly believe mixing it up is the way to go. Certainly if you are forced into forever <a href="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/nhth.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-2805 " src="http://balancehealthprograms.com.au/wp-content/uploads/nhth.jpg" alt="nhth" width="180" height="135" /></a>running on concrete or bitumen, I’d recommend the odd complimentary session on the rubber.

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<span style="color: #993366;"><strong>QUICK STORY</strong> </span>- I was once informed of a leading (endurance) coach prescribing a mind numbing session of 40kms @ 95% of race effort on a treadmill with zero variation in speed and gradient. All this while gazing into a white wall some 2 metres away. Zero visual stimulation, more so dissociation, and zero audio – yep, no tunes. The athlete completed the solitude session and went onto to win the World Championship. Hmm, reckon I’ll settle for second.

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BP