Is running on a treadmill the same excersize as running on a track?

Question

I just ran for 5 minutes, then 10 minutes, then 15 minutes on a new treadmill my appartment complex just recieved. I was surprized to find that I could do this rather easily, without much trouble, I wasn't even completely exhausted after this, however, I sweat more than I have ever sweat in my life, and probably ran more than I ever have at a time. I'm 5'7, 150 pounds, and I didn't hold on to the railings, just kept running. Is this the same calorie loss as a regular workout?

Answer 1

Definitely not. Men's Health did a report on this a while back. There is a difference.

Basically when you run outdoors you are fighting wind resistance and you are propelling yourself forward. When you run on a treadmill, there is no wind resistance, and you can bound a bit more.. .meaning the conveyor belt below you will move the longer you stay in the air -- not exactly the same as your field.

I remember this much about a chart they had. If you run a 6 minute mile on the treadmill it is equivalent to a 6:36 mile outdoor. If you set the incline to 1% it was about a 6:16. 2% was a 6:06.

You also sweat more on a treadmill because you don't have the air to dry you off. I sweat like a beast too on the treadmill...

Also, the calorie burn is probably less on a treadmill. Again, more work = more calories burned. Usually the treadmill counters are just best "guesses" in terms of effort. I find to get an accurate calorie burn estimate you should use a heart rate monitor with calorie burn estimator built into it.

Good luck.

Answer 2

The treadmill is easier for a couple reasons.. usually they are more absorbent than whatever material makes up the surface of the track therefore it is easier on your joints, knees and body overall to run on a treadmill.

Also, a treadmill always has you run in a perfectly straight line whereas a circle involves turns, varying weight distribution and other changing conditions.

A treadmill will do you just fine, especially if your knees aren't that great, but it may take a little more on the treadmill to feel 'the burn' and use up as many unwanted calories as you did from running the same distance on the track.

Answer 3

Not proclaiming to be an expert, but this question was asked the other night driving home from the gym. The guy answered that while treadmill excercise is great (lower impact), you muscles don't exert as much energy planting your foot and pushing yourself forward.
In other words, we are just moving our legs up, then letting our feet be pushed back by the motor turning the tread rather than actually pushing on the tread.
I guess it is enough of a difference that you burn less calories but it is still good exercise.
That's all I know.

Answer 4

it's less of a high impact workout, and thus fewer caloric burn.

if you can get your 5'7 150 lb *** on a treadmill you need to know that running an extra 10 - 15 seconds per minute will give you the same impact as running the highways....

see ya at the gym.

Answer 5

Maybe, I think running on a tredmill is pretty much the same as running on the track. Cuz I think at least your active so it doesn't really matter if your running on track or on a tredmill...so yeah...

Answer 6

Yeah it is.Its just becuz your not outside running that you dont sweat.I also looked this same exact quetion on trhe internet and it wexplained it all about how they get the same exercise.

Answer 7

running on a track is better cuz its a more natural human thing cuz you really do move but when you on a tread mill your brain gets confused and u start to get dizzy.

Answer 8

yup! thats true . u can loose the weight easly with the treadmill.

Answer 9

The tread mill is better, less chance for injury.

Answer 10

Inclined planes use more energy.