The question almost everyone would have asked, or at least thought of, once in lifetime – which is better; treadmill running or road running? It is perhaps an ongoing debate and there are no scientific evidences to prove for or against either way of running. This simply means that it is your personal choice whether you want to run on the treadmill or you want to be outside running on the road or a park. If you are not able to make up your mind, here are certain pros and cons of both types of running.
Running On The Road Is Cheaper Than Buying Treadmill
One of the most important advantages of running on the road over treadmill running is the cost factor. While a treadmill can cost you even up to $5,000, running on the road is virtually free. Of course it is not completely free because you need to invest on the right pair of shoes. However, shoes don’t cost as much as the treadmill. So if you don’t want to spend on expensive treadmill, it is better that you carry on with road running.
Road Running Is Affected By External Conditions
It’s a Sunny Day… Go Out For A Run
One of biggest disadvantages of road running is that you have to be dependent on apt weather and other external factors like traffic. If it is raining outside you will have to skip running if you don’t have a treadmill. If it is summer season you will need to get up early in the morning to make sure that the sun is not up and it is still conducive to running. Rising up late could also mean increased traffic on the road which could affect running and may even be dangerous. If there is no park nearby, you may have to stay at home. Treadmill on the other hand is immune to changes in weather and other external factors. No matter what time of the day you wake up, you never have to skip running.
Road Running Means More Fresh Air In Your Lungs
The air in the morning is the freshest air you will get throughout the day. Breathing fresh air could really vitalize your body. Therefore people prefer to wake up early in the morning to feel the fresh air and stay healthy. It has also been observed that people who wake up early and go for morning walks stay happier. This is something you do not get to enjoy with the treadmills.
Monitoring Yourself Is Easier With Treadmills
While Using A Treadmills You Can Monitor Your Performance
If you want to keep a track on how much you have run exactly and how many calories you have burnt, you need a treadmill. It is not possible to measure any of it by road running. However, if you have been running for a long time, you really don’t need to monitor these statistics. You will have a fair idea yourself. You can simply keep a check on your diet and make sure that you are running regularly.
If you are still confused and are not able to make a decision, it is better that you keep both the options open. This means that you can buy a treadmill and switch between road running and treadmill running at your will. This should be an end to your confusion.