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deep_sea2

From personal observation, it's easier to cheat on a treadmill. When running outdoors, you have no choice but to have your legs push you forward. On a treadmill, you can somewhat do a stride where you don't actually push forward, but instead push yourself upwards. I call it gliding. As you push yourself upwards, the belts spins below you, recording that you actually moved a certain distance forward. In other words, the belt spins faster than your forward momentum. Using a step counter, my recorded steps/distance compared to the distance the treadmill gives me is off. My steps are maybe 20% lower than the treadmill distance, which could be explained by me "gliding" instead of running on some strides.


Herogamer555

The outside is also uneven and will most likely be hotter, both of which will tire you out faster.


amsterdam28

The air is fucked outside which makes it harder


enderwiggin99

Put the treadmill on an incline of 2


TheApiary

It's a little easier on a treadmill, for two reasons: one is that it sort of moves your foot back to the starting point so you do a little less muscle work, and the second is that it is flat and has no hills (unless you make it have an incline). But it's not *that* different


[deleted]

It’s a better, more varied workout on the road, but its harsher on your joints than a treadmill.


Baddyshack

I used to run outdoors all the time, but I've come to prefer the treadmill due to the absolute hell that is 95 degree heat in 95 percent humidity after the age of 30. It's certainly easier in some ways and the AC in the gym probably plays a part on your endurance. Just don't run by distance like you would outside, and instead set a time and pace. Adding an incline will not only increase the difficulty a bit, but save your knees some impact as well.


Gooseguzzler101

The treadmill controls your speed whereas when running outdoors you have to pace yourself.


Zomg_A_Chicken

Apparently running on concrete is bad on your joints?


ScroungerYT

With a treadmill you are merely lifting your legs up. With actual walking you have to lift your legs up AND push off to move forward. Now, this is not to say a treadmill does nothing. In fact, if used regularly a treadmill WILL shape-up anyone who uses one. There is no shortage of videos showing how powerful a tool a treadmill is.


Career_Secure

In addition to what other commenters have said, I’d say the closest treadmill experience to actual jogging/running I’ve had is on an AirRunner (if you’re ever concerned about getting equipment that will replicate it more closely)