Running Outside vs The Treadmill

Running Outside and Running On a Treadmill Splilt
May 21st, 2013

Running, either you hate it or love it, or the third option love to hate it. It can be challenging whether it indoors within the comfort of your own home, as part of your workout routine at the gym, or outside down the sidewalks in your neighborhood. The advantages vary from person to person, and you may find out that both may work for you.

Working out on a treadmill compared to running outside can have similar workout benefits but each has distinct advantages over one another. While most gyms are lined 3-4 deep of treadmills, some still prefer the old fashion run in the
incline icon

Varation Is Key


Try incline walking if the treadmill is your choice of cardiovascular exercise. Walking on an incline increases your glute activity, as well as keeping your heart rate up in the mean time.

You can also train in intervals, which is key in developing a strong aerobic base. By elevating your heart rate via speed or incline for brief periods you will challenge yuor metabolism and you delay fatigue setting in.
neighborhood or in the park for the fresh air benefit. In a sense, the run outside eliminates any of excuse one may have of not working out, provided you can brave any the elements mother nature may throw your way.

Pros to Treadmill
check No weather, tempature problems.
check Working out in front of a televison.
check Can surround treadmill with other workout equipment.
check Can stop at any time of workout.

Pros to Running Outside
check Enjoyment of scenery.
check More challenging, and motivating, creating more calories burned.
check More sense of accomplishment completing a run.
check Maintain your natural stride.
check You can run anywhere, anytime.

Most workouts require some sort of cardio whether it is extensive training or if it just a little before and after, which the treadmill might be ideal for instead of having two separate times and location (which is still beneficial if you have the provided time).

Of course if you are training for a marathon or running event, and want the best results, you always want to try to simulate the conditions so running outside more may be better for your needs.


man benching over his leg

Back out of the Equation


Your biceps might not be the true definer of your strength, but what guy who puts a ton of work in the gym like the results of big biceps, especially for the ladies. So even though the bicep is generally a stabilizer muscle, don't forget about sculpting them properly when in the gym.

When doing your bicep curls, try one of the many techniques that keep your back from helping you lift, and isolate your biceps. One variation of sitting bicep curls is playing your elbow in your inner thigh, and curling from just above the floor to slightly above perpendicular to your leg.

Another techinique is placing an adjustable bench at a fairly steep incline, and while seated on the bench, curl dumbbells again from slightly above the floor (relaxed position) to the full curl motion. This takes your back completely out of the equation isolating the biceps getting the best results for the muscles.



Lat Pulldowns

Lat Pulldown Workout

We all know the adage Red Bull gives you wings, well the reality you have a better chance of getting those wings with Lat Pulldowns. Wide grip Lat Pulldowns will quickly develop the latissimus dorsi (lat for short) muscle. The downward pull of the bar focuses your back in a leverage type of technique to improve back strength tremendously.

With improved back strength, you will notice greater stability in your overall body and lifting form allowing you life more in every other muscle group including chest, shoulders and legs. The improved back strength will give you greater stability especially in your squat form.

Free Weight Benefits

DumbbellsWhile there are benefits to any exercise over not exercising at all, to maximize the results and improvement in strength, you might want to consider dedicating time to the free weights.

Free weights, through research, have shown superior provided strength and balance for those who use them. Through the investigation, free weights users had a 58 percent greater strength increase over individuals who used a resistance training routine. The same study showed 196 percent strength increase of free weight users of those who used assisted weight machines.

Free weights give you the added dimension of versatility and specificity to real-life movements. Additionally the added effort involved in free weight training gives you a much added advantage over resistance and machine assisted training.

healthy sense logo

About

Healthy Sense is about creating a healthier, sharper lifestyle that makes you feel better about the day to day life while keeping the senses fully satisfied at the same time.

Subscribe

Get the latest and greatest tips delivered to you weekly by subscribing to the Healthy Sense informatione email.




Navigate

Inspiration

begin quotePain makes me grow. Growing is what I want. Therefore, for me, pain is the pleasure.end quote

- Arnold Schwarzenegger