Staying Healthy
Do I get a better workout by running outdoors or on the treadmill?
Ask the doctors
Q. I often run on a treadmill rather than running outdoors, to avoid bad weather and save time. But am I getting a lower-quality workout?
A. Die-hard runners sometimes swear by outdoor runs, claiming that the treadmill can't come close to an outdoor workout featuring wind, hills, and uneven terrain, which they say makes outdoor runs more challenging. But that doesn't mean you can't get the same quality of workout on a treadmill indoors. If you run slower on the road and faster on the treadmill, or if you put the treadmill on an incline, you may be able to burn as many calories indoors as out. One study in the Journal of Sports Sciences found that putting the treadmill on a 1% incline could erase the differences in resistance between indoor and outdoor running. This put the two workouts on an equal footing — so to speak.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.
- Research health conditions
- Check your symptoms
- Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
I'd like to receive access to Harvard Health Online for only $4.99 a month.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.