Should I Run Indoors or Outdoors
Sunday, May 24th, 2009People email me constantly wanting to know which is better: running on a treadmill or running outside. Sure, a treadmill is more convenient and it’s certainly nicer on a rainy morning, but is it any better or worse than simply hitting the bricks? The answer to this is fairly surprising.
No, running outside isn’t massively better for you than running inside on your treadmill. That said, there are small differences that you might want to keep in mind.
- Running in Nature Can Help Your Balance – running outside makes your body adjust to the world around it, meaning that your muscles are going to be making minor adjustments to keep you upright. You may be running through a park or up and down a hilly area. Running through rough terrain helps to train the tiny muscles in your body that are in charge of keeping you upright.There is also the added benefit burning through more calories as you alter your intensity to the terrain around you.
- Getting Out of the House – I know it might seem a little corny, but running outside means you’re going to be getting more fresh air. This isn’t a major benefit, but it is a small change that can make you feel better throughout the day. You’re able to take a breather, relieve some stress and get away from the beeping of a cell phone or your email.
- You’ll Get More Vitamin D – Vitamin D plays a significant role in preventing cancer and cardiovascular disease and you’re going to be getting a big dose of it every time you go running in direct sunlight. You’ll also feel happier as sunlight has been shown to decrease depression and improve your mood.
I’m sure some of you may be resisting the idea of leaving your treadmill behind to go out in the heat or the cold.I can understand wanting to remain inside where it’s cool and you can see the TV, but you’re missing something wonderful by not being outside. I know no one wants to get outside when the weather is extreme, which is why I usually recommend having a treadmill for the rainy or cold mornings, but doing cardio outdoors when you can will take your overall fitness to a level it’s never been before.
For more information on running for weight loss, I recommend taking a look at The Ultimate Guide for Running to Lose Weight from Home Fitness Challenge.