Running Inside or Outside: The Great Debate
Jay Kwon
Issue date: 2/3/10 Section: Sports
Running is generally the talk of ages for reshaping your body. It works all your muscles. It works on your breathing and heart rate; a runner's body generally circulates blood much more effectively than the average person. Also, the runner has effective oxygen and carbon dioxide transfer in the lungs, supplying their body with much more endurance and stamina. Running aids in muscle build and tone. Proper technique in running forces the use of the arm muscles (biceps, triceps, and deltoids), conditions the leg muscles (forward and back thighs and calves), and pushes the core muscles to new levels (abdominals and back muscles).
However, where is running the most effective? Is it better inside on the treadmill, or outside on the free road or track? Well, in many cases, running is running. You are still pumping and using the same movements outside as you would on the treadmill. So this matter can be left up to simple personal preference. Would you rather run on a moving road or the open road? However, there may be some more benefits to running outside rather than on the treadmill.
First of all, running outside can give you the "fresher" air feeling. Being cooped up in a gym leaves you with only the air inside a room, and maybe some recycling of air when other people open the door once in awhile. Running outside can keep fresh air and oxygen transferring in your system. Also, why run in the same spot when you can be constantly moving? Running outside may allow the runner to feel as though they are actually going somewhere, making progress, rather than basing it off of a digital time or distance read-out. Finally, running outside is just a better view! If you are running at a gym, all you look at is other equipment, possibly television, or even a blank wall. Why not go outside and see the nature or feel the weather?
But again, running is running. I do not believe that there is any scientific proof that one is better than the other; let it be a matter of choice, your personal opinion. Whether you want to run on the treadmill or outside, that is still running. Just make sure that it is an intense and tough exercise, and push yourself to that next mile!
However, where is running the most effective? Is it better inside on the treadmill, or outside on the free road or track? Well, in many cases, running is running. You are still pumping and using the same movements outside as you would on the treadmill. So this matter can be left up to simple personal preference. Would you rather run on a moving road or the open road? However, there may be some more benefits to running outside rather than on the treadmill.
First of all, running outside can give you the "fresher" air feeling. Being cooped up in a gym leaves you with only the air inside a room, and maybe some recycling of air when other people open the door once in awhile. Running outside can keep fresh air and oxygen transferring in your system. Also, why run in the same spot when you can be constantly moving? Running outside may allow the runner to feel as though they are actually going somewhere, making progress, rather than basing it off of a digital time or distance read-out. Finally, running outside is just a better view! If you are running at a gym, all you look at is other equipment, possibly television, or even a blank wall. Why not go outside and see the nature or feel the weather?
But again, running is running. I do not believe that there is any scientific proof that one is better than the other; let it be a matter of choice, your personal opinion. Whether you want to run on the treadmill or outside, that is still running. Just make sure that it is an intense and tough exercise, and push yourself to that next mile!
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