l have a treadmill and l can tell it has helped my breathing and stamina, but what are some disadvantages of a treadmill compared to just running at a park or something?

it is harder on your joints, and just is not as nice as running outside

you keep cooler on the road/track because you are actually moving.

The ground you run on is a bit more ''natural''(not really cos it will be man made) so will lead to stronger joints because of the uneven nature of it.

You will see other people( not sure if you will think that is good

The distance you run is not measured by some device that may become worn and give a false reading, ie you know how far youhave gone

Running in a park will be much better for breathing and stamina because you can easily 'cheat' while on a treadmill. The machine itself moves the ground underneath you, so you can pick your feet up and down and get away with working less.

At the park or a street, you are driving your own body forward, and you're getting stronger and more endurant while you do it. There is no machine moving the ground for you, you do the work yourself. It is pure exercise.

treadmill running is good for burning cals/fat but if you're wanting to train outdoors, it is better to do it in the actual environment.

If you're wanting to just lose weight & not build tone, muscle, that is what treadmill running will do.

But when u go outdoors to run, u get an all around cardio, ur whole body moving (freedom of movement opposed to stationary running on the spot), u not only burn cals/fat but tone ur muscles & in turn build muscles. That is the disadvantage to treadmill running

Treadmills often have a harder surface than some outdoor surfaces (considering impact).

The scenery does not change.

No air moving over u to cool u off.

If u get sweaty & it drips u have to clean the treadmill off so it does not smell like sweat.

The perfectly even surface of a treadmill can make it hard to adjust to outdoor running - little imperfections in outdoor surfaces strengthen ur stabilizing muscles/joints when u run outdoors.

The distance the treadmill says you've run is not always accurate (newer machines r better at it than older ones).

Treadmills do have some advantages though:

You do not have to run outdoors in very cold/very warm weather.

If u live in a bad neighborhood u do not have to run outdoors.

You control the climate u run in with ur thermostat

You can watch TV while running or read a book

Its harder to trip & fall on a treadmill if you're clumsy


l personally suggest a combination of both treadmill & outdoor running. Use the treadmill to beat the heat/cold/rain, & enjoy the outdoors in the spring & fall.

Good luck, keep on running whichever way u choose!

It is really hard on your joints/knees. It affects some people more then others. l run on a tredmill almost everyday in the fall/winter, but l am only 18 so l do not have joint problems yet.

If you notice your knees have been hurting, especially after getting off the tredmill you might want to consider running outside.