I did a little experiment because the majority of the time, I run on a treadmill at the gym…
But recently, things have changed and I can’t even use the gym due to the Corona virus restrictions. Since I have a golf course in my backyard, I decided to go for a run on the pavement. I also figured it would be nice to catch up with my son, he was practicing on one of the nearby holes.
One thing is for sure, running on pavement really kicks your butt in comparison to running on a treadmill!
We can hop on the treadmill and start walking an easy pace with some nice cushy shock absorbers on the deck. The gym quality treadmills are eight to ten grand and are Life Fitness or Precor treadmills. You are basically in luxurious land!
But getting out in the elements in the real world and running on inclines and declines and a grooved pavement surface even though it is blacktopped and not gravel, if you don’t know, I cant tell you it is a real challenge.
It’s not that this is the first time I ever ran on pavement because I ran a couple 5K’s and was on gravel for one of the 5K’s and I ran on pavement through a subdivision for another. Both were just very difficult but I was so dedicated and so passionate about it that I finished them 5K without stopping, but it was difficult.
I just timed how long I ran on the pavement on the golf course and it was basically 50% of the time that I would run on a treadmill at the gym. I am probably 100% more out of breath then if I were on a treadmill.
Plus, if you’re have allergies or are subject to allergy like a lot of people are, you have to deal with that too. My nose is already starting to run. I am feeling a little Asthmatic even though I’m not really considered asthmatic.
It’s just a totally different feel running outdoors on pavement. I can feel my knees even starting to ache a little bit. Mainly because I am so not used to running in this way. But at the same time, I am not someone who started running at a very young age so it’s not like running has worn on my body over time. Basically, I started running 15 years ago.
It’s obvious that you can get a much quicker and a better overall workout in a shorter amount of time on pavement. This is due to the simple fact of running on inclines and declines and being out in the elements on pavement.
Yeah, it’s a totally different feel for sure on the treadmill. You can do different pre-programmed workouts and you could be running through a forest and beyond on inclines and declines as well on a treadmill. But at the same time, I think overall being out in the elements and being outside running this way can really be helpful once in a while.
If you’re in overall good health and you have decent knees and you back is healthy, you should consider outdoor running at times too. But it’s definitely tougher on the joints then a nice Patented Shock Absorber system such as a what Life Fitness, Precor and even what ProForm offers now.
My goal isn’t to just run and be outdoors like a marathon runner or even attempt to do a half marathon that’s not my ultimate goal. My health is maintaining my current weight and getting the type of physique that I always wanted. At the end of the winter, move towards starting to look at where am I at for my physical appearance. Because I wan to be able to go out at the swimming pool or to the beach should be able to take my shirt off and feel good about myself.
For so long, I never wanted to go to the pool or to the beach and take my shirt off because I didn’t like who I was on the outside. This had a reflection on who I was on the inside too.
My ultimate goal isn’t just to be outside running or to be on the treadmill running for miles at a time. But running 1 mile per day prior to working out now is how I am able to handle my overall maintenance in order to keep my weight down.
Being able to have my metabolism racing and my furnace going internally after my initial run helps to keep my weight down. Because calories continue to burn throughout the day after my morning run.
Obviously if you’re someone that runs frequent 5K’s or you are preparing for a half marathon or a marathon, you have really no choice but to be outdoors running in the elements. This is how you must prepare in order to be ready for what that run is going to throw at you for that particular day. But if you’re not preparing that way, you might just be better off consistently being on the treadmill and upping your workouts on a steady pace over time.
Then, if you’re up to it, get yourself outside and run out in the elements once in a while so you can really see the difference. I guarantee you will burn calories and fat faster than you’ve ever seen before. Because I know it works. You will build up a sweat so fast as well. If you are able to, do it in the morning in order to take advantage of the metabolism burn.
You can also get burn a good amount of calories in the afternoon or in the evening but if you can get it done in the morning on an empty stomach, you will see the calorie burn go further through the day.
If your starting to get enjoyment from your results, it doesn’t hurt to get a second workout in the afternoon or evening. If you had a solid morning treadmill or cardio workout, the second time you exercise, could be a variety of different things. See some of the ideas below.
- Walk 15 minutes on the treadmill on a slight incline
- Job for 10 minutes on the treadmill on flat incline
- Elliptical for 12-20 minutes
- Exercise bike for 12-20 minutes
- Walk at a relative fast pace outdoors