5 Reasons Why Using a Treadmill is Better Than Running Outdoors

Here are the top 5 reasons why you need to start running on a treadmill before you consider putting on your running shoes and heading outside.

1. Safety Safety Safety – According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2015 there were 5,376 pedestrians killed and an estimated 70,000 injured  in traffic crashes in the United States. Running on a treadmill seems a lot safer now, right? We aren’t saying don’t run outside because, you need to enjoy the outdoors and be active; you just may not have a nice safe park to run in everyday.

2. Less stress on joints – We all know running on pavement is not good long-term for your joints. In fact, runners often develop “Runner’s Knee” or Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS). This is where the stress of running over time causes the cartilage to wear, resulting in a sharp or possibly chronic pain in the knee. Running on a treadmill such as a Life Fitness treadmill with a FlexDeck System can reduce impact on joints up to 30%.

3. Keeping it interesting – Running outside next to a lake or in the mountains while breathing in the fresh air is great and we recommend you do so if you have the opportunity. Unfortunately, most of us don’t live next to a beach or lake to go run by. Having a busy lifestyle means that if the only time you have to get your workout in and it’s 10 o’clock at night, running outside might not be the best option. Most modern treadmills have integrated TV/entertainment consoles built in which means you can run virtual marathons or watch your favorite show, all while at the gym or in the comfort of your own home.

4. Pushing yourself – When you get on a treadmill you can set the speed to how fast or slow you want to go. This means if you want to break that 5 minute mile or your personal marathon record, you can always just push a button to help propel you forward to help reach your goal. On treadmills such as the Precor 885 treadmill with a P80 Console you can track your personal workouts, run intervals, rolling hills, mountain peaks or even train for a 5K.

5. Fixing your form-  Many runners can benefit from looking at their form while they run (which is hard to do when you’re outside). Noticing your form in the mirror or even setting your phone up to record yourself will be beneficial. You never know if you’re slouching, dragging your feet or not lifting your knees high enough.

So put on your running shoes, grab your headphones, get on a treadmill and start running!