I love to walk. And I love to walk outdoors, even when
the weather is less than inviting. I own a treadmill, but to me it’s not the
same.
And indeed it is not. While the movement seems to be the
same, there are many significant differences which make walking outdoors the
better option if all else is equal.
The biggest difference is that walking on a treadmill
requires less force production to push yourself forward against the ground. The
band keeps moving, and that creates a bit the effect as if somebody is standing
behind you, pushing you forward as your walk. This has an impact on the
development of the muscles of the entire posterior chain of the body, namely
glutes, hamstrings and calves. Treadmill walking also means that you are on an
entire even flat surface which places no demands on your foot and ankle muscles
for stabilization to compensate for the unevenness of a pavement.
Having said that, I understand that a treadmill may be
the only good option for some. The safety of the environment can be a concern
and the outdoor air quality.
Bottom line: Go outside if you can. But if that’s not a
good option, a treadmill is still a viable alternative.
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