Is this a bad idea? I don’t know if a treadmill is offering as much or more of a reduction in pounding than a trail, but I live in the city so dirt isn’t an option.
Looking to preserve my knees as long as I can so I don’t have to give up multisport, but don’t have any trails or dirt accessible. The treadmill sure feels soft, but I just don’t know for sure. I would like to save my legs for race day as much as possible.
yes there is nothing wrong with it. Some people say increase the incline to mimic running outside. i say that if the goal is to run faster, increase the speed. Either way you increase the workload.
I trained for my first marathon entirely on the treadmill. You just have to change the incline every once in a while, get really good at not getting bored, and make sure to vary the speed- just like you do outside for tempo runs and intervals. It makes for a really good way to focus on your form because you aren’t thinking about anything else really.
Can either of you guys give me a comparison to running on say a dirt trail in terms of impact? I know it’s less than asphalt, but what do you guys feel about the treadmill’s ability to reduce the pounding?
Thanks
trail trumps pretty much everything. it’s still better (impact wise) than running on roads or sidewalks.
It is important to recognize that treadmill running does change your gait because you aren’t using your muscles exactly the same way as you do outside. You have less of a need for pushoff on the treadmill because it does it for you. It more or less builds your neurological system to improve your run cadence. That is why its important to change your tempo/incline often.
Can either of you guys give me a comparison to running on say a dirt trail in terms of impact? I know it’s less than asphalt, but what do you guys feel about the treadmill’s ability to reduce the pounding?
Thanks
Depends a ton on the treadmill. I love my Apex 4500 from NordicTrack. It’s “cheap” (about $1400 I think) and not “health club” grade - but the wooden deck has a lot of flex to it. Really easy on the knees, shins, etc.
Ben
Can either of you guys give me a comparison to running on say a dirt trail in terms of impact? I know it’s less than asphalt, but what do you guys feel about the treadmill’s ability to reduce the pounding?
Thanks
Depends a ton on the treadmill. I love my Apex 4500 from NordicTrack. It’s “cheap” (about $1400 I think) and not “health club” grade - but the wooden deck has a lot of flex to it. Really easy on the knees, shins, etc.
Ben
I have no idea what kind we have at my gym, but they are all the same and about 30 of them. At least it won’t be running on the pavement…
Your gym probably has good treadmills so running on them should be fine. I had an old cheap treadmill my wife walked on and I found the deck bounced around so much that it felt like it was destroying my knees. Now the good treadmills at the Y are great to run on.
Are you sure there are no trails? A lot of cities have trails in their parks.
I have access to trails but many times due to time constraints choose not to drive to them. Pounding the pavement is exactly that for me, not overly painful but I definitely feel it in my knees at the time and the day after. Running on my treadmill (brand TrimUp) is great and significantly reduces any discomfort during or after any running. Like others stated, you have to fight boredom (I do it with Tv) but find I can focus more on the treadmill as far as speed, cadence and form go. I vary the spped and the incline often. Another thought, which I frequent quite regulaly is that my local high school has a “soft” track. I find it better than a train but I definitely run slower but for practice it cant be beat. Good luck…
Can either of you guys give me a comparison to running on say a dirt trail in terms of impact? I know it’s less than asphalt, but what do you guys feel about the treadmill’s ability to reduce the pounding?
Thanks
I’ve got a Pacemaster which has a nice “suspension.” I started running again this fall and did 2-3 weeks on it before going outside. Night and day. No DOMS from the treadmill, and just a short outside run gave me a major case of DOMS.
Can either of you guys give me a comparison to running on say a dirt trail in terms of impact? I know it’s less than asphalt, but what do you guys feel about the treadmill’s ability to reduce the pounding?
Thanks
I’ve got a Pacemaster which has a nice “suspension.” I started running again this fall and did 2-3 weeks on it before going outside. Night and day. No DOMS from the treadmill, and just a short outside run gave me a major case of DOMS.
I also have a Pacemaster and have the opposite experience. Since I do the vast majority of my running outside, I find I get sore very easily when I have to run on the treadmill due to nasty weather.
It’s not a bad idea, but be aware that the treadmill has less of a push off phase, meaning your glutes and calves do not get as much work. Running exclusively on a treadmill, not a good idea.
This is something I have learned the hard way 
It’s not a bad idea, but be aware that the treadmill has less of a push off phase, meaning your glutes and calves do not get as much work. Running exclusively on a treadmill, not a good idea.
This is something I have learned the hard way
Which is why,if his injury allows, he should add stair repeats as part of his run program.The stairs will work his glutes and calves as well as help to strengthen his quads which in turn will help stabilise his knees.After he become strong on the stairs he can move to hill reps with walk down recoveries.
Might not make him a fast runner but he will be a strong runner which IMHO is very important for an IM.
This something I learned while rehabbing from my knee reconstruction.It worked a treat.
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Being a fast runner is of no consequence to me at this stage in my career. Well over 100 races and I’m satiated…had fast days, but can accept those are gone. I just want to continue competing and enjoying the sport…don’t need to go fast.
It’s not 100% the best situation, but if it’s your only option you have to work with what you have. I am not sure if this has been tested, but I would be a little suspicious about the treadmill being exactly the same as really running outdoors. I think the best application of the treadmill is for tempo runs where you want to lock in on a pace and hold it there for X-period of time.
NO…Tri to mix in a road workout once or twice a week after winter or on nice days. Run on a 1 to 2 percent incline to best mimic road conditions. treadmilll is great to get a fast turnover rate. Intervals are easy to keep track of on treadmill to as is Heart rate.
I would say that dirt and TM are similar–at least in my perception. TM may be a bit more forgiving, but IMO, the gait alterations it forces (for me, at least) sort of counteracts its benefits.
Do you have access to paths where you can just run on the grass, instead of the bikepath? It’s not a dirt trail, but it’s better than concrete…
Another alternative to supplement your running is pool running–which I find highly effective.
It’s not a bad idea, but be aware that the treadmill has less of a push off phase, meaning your glutes and calves do not get as much work. Running exclusively on a treadmill, not a good idea.
This is something I have learned the hard way
The push off is no different. Your glutes and hamstrings must do the appropriate amount of work and must push off the same emount or you will go off the back of the treadmill. The only difference is the lack of wind resistance.
Incidentally, what was the lesson you learned the hard way?
In Reply To:It’s not a bad idea, but be aware that the treadmill has less of a push off phase, meaning your glutes and calves do not get as much work. Running exclusively on a treadmill, not a good idea.
This is something I have learned the hard way
The push off is no different. Your glutes and hamstrings must do the appropriate amount of work and must push off the same emount or you will go off the back of the treadmill. The only difference is the lack of wind resistance.
Incidentally, what was the lesson you learned the hard way?
That there exist varying levels of hurt: my aunt with multiple sclerosis who used to swim and run and now can barely move; my best friend, who has five fractures from a bike crash; me - who can swim and bike a bit but can’t run; the girl I work with who is fine, and running, and her words about it make me want to throw her out a window. Yeah, I’m jealous. And then I think of the other two, and am happy that I could ride and swim today.
That when desert dude told me I really ought to limit my running to 35 mpw, I should have listened. He’s not smarter than I am but he is wiser.
To not take running for granted.
That without running, I am often one step away from being hospitalized for depression.
That I am far more attentive in class when I’m not so tired all the time.
That running on a FLAT treadmill all the time will leave a girl with underdeveloped glutes… that tight back muscles can result in anterior hip pain… that it takes a month to get an orthopedist appt… that x rays are digital now.
for me the treadmill has been a godsend.
i have been able to train more than ever in my old age (42) and i put part of that down to the treadmill usage.
no science involved in my thought process but i have found that i can use the treadmill well for…
recovery runs. the suspension of the treadmill really helps for this instead of trying to do a recovery run on a hard pavement
speed intervals. i can really do a precise set on the treadmill.
my legs are in a better state for the long runs i put in on the pavement.
the treadmill has proven to be a big friend of mine.