Walking Outside vs The Treadmill

[Cherylbug]

Good morning everyone

Just a quick question for ya...Why can I walk 2 miles in 34 minutes outside and then the very next day get on the treadmill and it takes 20 minutes to go a mile? I don't think I'm doing anything different. Could the treadmill possibly be off? Maybe I just enjoy being outside more and it just seems a little more effortless. It's very discouraging when I walk/jog on the treadmill and it seems like I'm struggling to get through just one mile.

I hope you guys have a great Tuesday.

 

[lizdotcom99]

Cheryl,

I seem to have just the opposite problem. I do WATP inside and it is pretty easy for me to get my milage in....then I go outside where it is not a nice carpeted even surface and sometimes struggle. But the way I look at it is this...at least you are exercising.....and it is still very early in the game!!Before long, one mile will be two mile and two four.....and you will wonder where all the time went!! Keep on !! You are doing a great job!!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I wish I knew your answer. I seem to have boredom issues on the TM and it seems an eternity for me. While I am outside enjoying Nature and His creations I find the time flying by. I am of the understanding that gait may be different on TM and outside. That may be added to your issue.

 

[Cherylbug]

Thanks Liz

I just get so discouraged with myself sometimes. It seems like I try and try and end up getting nowhere. But I know that wall will eventually crumble one day. I just really really really want to complete this 1/2 marathon so badly. Thanks for your encouragement. You guys always keep me motivated.

Thanks to you too Tiger Lily, seems we were posting at the same time.

 

[chimera]

Shoe Guy told me outside is much easier...kinda like Lily said, there's less of a boredom, staring at the same old wall factor. I haven't tried it yet!

 

[Christine]

Just remember that the treadmill gives you a "calculated" 2 mile walk--it may not be accurate.

I have an issue with the WATP tapes. I routinely do 2 miles outside within 30 minutes. When I do the 2 mile WATP, which also takes 30 minutes and is supposedly 2 miles, it feels a lot less strenuous to me than my 2 mile outdoor walk. In fact, I checked my heart rate last night during the WATP tape and it was barely elevated (and I was doing some marching). Kind of bums me out because I feel like my indoor exercise isn't benefiting me, but I guess it's better than the couch.

 

[Susan--Ontario]

Try doing both with the same pedometer. When I did the TM my pedometer always read more than the tm readout. I think it is because on the tm your stride may be shorter but you're taking the same number of steps as outside. For a long walk of 6 miles or so the difference can be a half a mile for me. Give it a try!!

 

[sharoncity]

Christine - I found the 2 mile WATP video very unchallenging as well. Try the 3 mile with abs WATP. it is a much better work out and only takes 45 min. It is not undoable, but it does get your heart rate up a lot more!!

TTFN- Sharon

 

[chimera]

Try doing both with the same pedometer. When I did the TM my pedometer always read more than the tm readout. I think it is because on the tm your stride may be shorter but you're taking the same number of steps as outside. For a long walk of 6 miles or so the difference can be a half a mile for me. Give it a try!!

That's a good point. I do feel a shorter stride on the treadmill And I have a hard time finding a comfortable pace when I do my bursts of speed. I think 3.75 mph must be what would work for me, but can't do that on my treadmill.

Do you guys find the pedometer is accurate for outside or is it better to drive it?

 

[Christine]

That's a good point. I do feel a shorter stride on the treadmill And I have a hard time finding a comfortable pace when I do my bursts of speed. I think 3.75 mph must be what would work for me, but can't do that on my treadmill.

Do you guys find the pedometer is accurate for outside or is it better to drive it?

Drive it. I've had 3 pedometers and found them to be fairly inaccurate.

 

[geetey]

I have yet to find a pedometer that is accurate. And I have quite the collection!

I find I can walk much faster outside versus on the treadmill. I have difficulty getting a lengthy stride (and I have short legs!) when I am walking on the treadmill. Plus, the treadmill prevents the body's natural tendancy to walk faster and slower throughout a walk. I think the constant pace is more difficult to maintain. I do like the treadmill for short speed work though! I can definitely see how I am walking faster and increasing my speed through those drills.