Treadmill Vs. Track
Is it better to run on a treadmill or on a track? Actually, it's often a matter of availability or personal preference. When weather conditions are unfavorable, both the treadmill and indoor track are alternatives for outdoor running or walking.
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Freedom from or at the gym
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Owning a treadmill, if you have the space and budget, means never having to wait in line at the gym.
At the gym, you never have to wait to start running on the track.
Gait considerations
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Treadmills can effect your foot's natural pronation. (Reference 2) This isn't a concern on the track.
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Approximating real world conditions
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Treadmills can be set at an incline and, depending on the model, a decline. Running uphill works different muscles than running on flat surfaces. (Reference 1)
Compared with a treadmill, track running is closer to outdoor running in terms of effort spent. One reason is the lack of air resistance during treadmill running. (Reference 3)
Entertainment options
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You can watch TV while you run on a treadmill.
A personal music player can be used on both the treadmill and the track.
Convenience
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On a treadmill, you don't have to count laps to know how far you've run. Distance, elapsed time, and, depending on the model, heart rate are monitored by the treadmill's computer.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Luis Markovic
