Is It Better to Run Outside or on a Treadmill?

Spring has finally arrived and daylight saving time has begun, which means warmer weather (at least where I live in California) and later sunsets. I’m super excited about the arrival of spring because it means more time to enjoy outdoor activities with my family even after work on weekdays. 

If you’ve been walking or running indoors on a treadmill for most of the winter because it’s been cold outside or because it got dark too early, spring also means that you can finally start exercising outdoors. There’s nothing like taking in the scenery and fresh air on a nice walk or run on a beautiful day.  

Walking and running are two of the most popular forms of exercise worldwide, so it’s no surprise that I’ve been getting a lot of questions recently about the difference between walking or running overground versus on a treadmill. Is one better than the other?

If you tuned in to last week’s episode on whether dumbbells, barbells, machines, or resistance bands are better for strength training, you know that my answer to these types of questions is almost always “it depends”. 

Anyone who has spent time walking or running overground and on a treadmill will tell you that there’s a real difference between the two. Walking or running on a treadmill is often easier than overground as a result of two important factors: treadmill momentum and uneven terrain. Don’t worry if this is unfamiliar to you because I’ll explain it in a moment. 

Even though overground walking or running is often more challenging, whether it’s better than on a treadmill depends on a host of additional factors that are unique to each person. It can also vary depending on the time of day or the context.

For example, the weather definitely plays a role and so does the relative safety of your outdoor environment. So if it’s 10 degrees or 100 degrees outside, walking or running indoors on a treadmill would be a good choice. A treadmill might also be a good choice if you live in an area with a high crime rate, with a lot of smog, or with a lot of busy streets you have to cross. 

Additional considerations include how convenient it is for you to access a treadmill...

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