Training on a treadmill

Wheezy · Joined: 10 Oct 2007 Posts: 1889 Location: Sub 3 (elect)

Other than the convenience factor if you're already at the gym or if the weather's miserable, is there any benefit from running on a treadmill as opposed to outdoors?
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Chrace · Joined: 28 Apr 2010 Posts: 2910 Location: Eating a Yorkie

The baby monitor only reaches so far.

Otherwise, no. Unless you like being miserable.
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Jorgan · Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2019 2:36 pm Post subject:

Yes, if like me at the moment, you're trying to get rid of something like a calf niggle. Less impact definitely helps, but I can still work my 'engine'. You could argue the same for Zwift vs the road i.e. no elements to contend with. I definitely prefer running outside though, whereas I quite enjoy Zwift (races).
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explorerJC · Joined: 20 Oct 2005 Posts: 16060 Location: Farthingstone

it depends a lot on the treadmill, the type of session and your biomechanics...
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stenard · Joined: 04 Sep 2013 Posts: 2063

I personally find running on a treadmill a lot harder to run fast. 4:00/km feels pretty fast on a treadmill, whereas outdoor that's pretty comfortable. The biomechanics are also different. On a treadmill I'm just rotating my legs, whereas outside you are actually having to propel yourself forwards.

One big advantage for tri though is heat adaptation. I properly cook indoors, in the same manner as on the turbo, so you get some benefits with that if you're doing a hot race. I did a fair bit more treadmill work in the build up to Bahrain for that reason, given outside temps in the UK at that time of year.
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Wheezy · Joined: 10 Oct 2007 Posts: 1889 Location: Sub 3 (elect)

explorerJC · Joined: 20 Oct 2005 Posts: 16060 Location: Farthingstone

explorerJC · Joined: 20 Oct 2005 Posts: 16060 Location: Farthingstone

fruit thief · Joined: 18 May 2006 Posts: 2764

For 10km i sometimes like to do a trial run of race distance on a treadmill 1-2 weeks out. At target pace. If I can hold it, it's game on for race day. If not, it's back to the drawing board.

Good for tempo intervals, eg 3*3km at race pace. No brainwork required, just press the buttons and go.

also, being a soft southerner I prefer running on a treadmill to getting cold outside.

Jorgan · Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2019 10:16 am Post subject:

They are a good low-impact way of training the engine, but if you're going long, and the run is on tarmac, you really need the miles on that surface in your legs, to condition them.

I definitely prefer running fast outside, mentally I just find the physical motion (and air flow) easier.
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Pedro Peru · Joined: 19 Apr 2010 Posts: 1064 Location: Leeds

I like to use a treadmill for intervals. There's very little flat around me so doing intervals at an even effort is difficult.

Ade · Joined: 27 Jul 2010 Posts: 525 Location: Leics

I use this workout from TriSutto when my kids are training with their swim club so I'm at the gym anyway. Works well. Bloody hard. Not at the start but it gets there.

https://www.triathlete.com/2015/02/training/dreadmill-benefits-treadmill-training_112345
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Wheezy · Joined: 10 Oct 2007 Posts: 1889 Location: Sub 3 (elect)

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