why is running on a treadmill harder

· Running on a treadmill means that you can set the pace and the incline, which control the difficulty of the run. If you’re running with a specific time or pace in mind, it’s much easier to guarantee that result on a treadmill. “A great thing about running on the treadmill is that once you set your speed, you don’t have to think about it …

· I’m Jesse Funk and on today’s episode of Runner’s High, we’re gonna talk about exactly why running on the treadmill seems harder than running outside. So, I actually just got back from running a negative split run on the treadmill at the gym; 25 minutes out and then 25 minutes faster tempo.

· Is running on a treadmill harder on your body? Running on the treadmill is easier on your body than running outdoors on a road. Your joints will thank you if you decide to run on a treadmill instead of hitting the road. This is the best option for those who are returning from a lower body joint injury.

There are many reasons why people might find running on a treadmill harder than outdoor running. For one, the treadmill cushioned belt can be much different from the feeling of pavement or dirt. Additionally, the weather conditions and environment can play a role in how easy or difficult running is.

· I think running on a treadmill is harder. My theory is that outside I can regulate my pace depending on how I feel. So a 10 mm overall isn’t a 10 mm pace the entire time. Sometimes I go faster or slower and it all works out to a 10 mm. On a treadmill you can’t do that. A 10 mm pace is you doing that pace the entire time, steady.

· Runners can adjust their pace accordingly or take comfort in the knowledge that they could be working a touch harder than usual. RELATED: Zach Bitter breaks 100-mile treadmill world record in 12:09:15

The treadmill setting means that unless you are varying the incline, you’re running a constant speed and using the same muscles for the entire run. While I think it’s an AMAZING way to teach yourself pacing, it could at times make the run feel harder or slower if you are used to only running outside. Try playing with the incline.

· The runners perceived they were working an average of 27 percent harder when they ran on the curved treadmill, and physiologically, their symptoms matched: They consumed an average of 32 percent …

· That may be why some people think it’s more difficult. “[P]eople perceive treadmill running to be harder even when they run at exactly the same speed as outdoors,” says Bas Van Hooren, a PhD researcher and sports scientist at Maastricht University.