How much easier is running on a treadmill

[TrillianSlasher]

Than running on a pavement?

DP wants to know please. Would you expect to run faster, or be able to run for longer, and if so by how much?

I wouldn't say easier, just different. I prefer to run outside because it is more interesting (your brain can focus on other things than wanting to stop!) but I ran on a treadmill during the early months of the year due to the snow. I find that the key advantage of the treadmill is that it measures your distance and speed for you so that you can work towards increasing your performance or endurance accurately. The other advantage is that it'snever too cold, icy or wet to run! I do find I need music to keep me going in the gym whereas I run outside without it. My fastest times have all been outdoors though. HTH.

OK, thanks. DP has just started running at the gym rather than ont he road (for the reasons you listed above - never too cold/dark/rainy) and seems to be running much faster than before (treadmill measuring rather than mapping out a route) so wanted to know if that was normal.

Perhaps he should put the treadmill at a very slight incline, which will balance out the slight advantage the treadmill gives (IMHO) by propelling you forward. If that makes sense? That's what I was once told anyway by a gym trainer.

I think if you set the incline at 1% the effort is about equivalent to running on road.

I thought the treadmill propelled you backwards ( - you can see I'm not s runner) but I will definitely pass on the advice

IME you can correct for the reduced aerobic effort on the treadmill by increasing the incline - I think I've read 1.5% does the trick. However, I find actual running uses muscles in my hips, thighs and calves that treadmill running doesn't touch.

Presumably it's something to do with the difference between bouncing up and down on the spot, and propelling yourself forwards.

I find it easier to run outdoors, get so bored on a treadmill, I can't run for more than 15mins at a time on them.

The gym did move the treadmills away from the TV screens though

Running on treadmills is some way easier than running outside from a mechanical perspective.

Firstly, the combination that treadmills are sprung and belt driven mean that they help propel the runner forwards slightly, reducing the amount of energy expended per any given distance. Secondly, there is no wind resistance in a gym, which also reduces the amount of energy required. To compensate for these, as others have said, you need to set the incline to about 1.5%. If you don't then your DP should definitely be running faster inside than outside.

Also, treadmill running is inherently stable - running on a flat, steady surface. This means you use fewer other muscles (e.g. around hips, thighs, core) which you use to stabilise yourself when running outside over mixed terrain. Even roads involves little inclines, kerbs etc.

On the plus side though, I think it's probably easier to push yourself harder on a treadmill than by running outside. Unless you're very disciplined (and have a GPS watch) it's really ease to slip off the pace when you're getting tired or slow down for hills etc. Have fixed speed settings on a treadmill definitely avoides that.

Lots. Less tiring, easier because you don't have to adjust your gait for changes in surface and elevation, also to avoid doh shit and puddles! But it's way more boring.

Bizarrely I run faster on the road than on the treadmill. Often, much faster.

I run twice a week on a treadmill (up to 10K) and once a week outside (usually 10K) and definitely faster on the road.

Presume its psychological because the treadmill is so dull ! As soon as dd2 is old enough for preschool I'll be off the treadmill and on the road even if wet/cold/dark.