When I had a gym membership I never used the treadmills much. Was it because they’re an inferior machine? No. It was because they were usually all full due to popularity! At some gyms there are even waiting lines to use them. Which I never quite understood…standing around for 15 minutes waiting when you’re at a gym full of cardio machines seemed rather ironic. However, the fact that many people will wait in a line to use them shows the health benefits of treadmill exercise and demonstrates that they are unique from other equipment.

Are you one of those people who loves using treadmills but wonder if it provides as good of a workout as other options? Or are you considering getting one but can’t quite decide? I’ll help answer those questions in this article that covers 9 benefits of treadmills, as well as a few reasons you should still include outdoor walks and runs in your routine.

9 Benefits of Treadmill Exercise

While this list focuses on treadmills, many of these benefits also apply to other gym equipment such as elliptical trainers and stair machines….in case the line for treadmills at your gym is also too long to wait!

1. Convenient

One major benefit of treadmills is that they are convenient. If you have one at home you can use it anytime without having to worry about gym hours or if it’s too dark to run or walk outside.  If you get a phone call or your kids need you, you can stop for a moment and continue five minutes later, as opposed to running outdoors and being stuck miles away from home if something comes up. You can also multi-task, getting more out of your time than an outdoors run. I love to watch an educational video or catch up on a Zoom presentation I missed while I run inside. Many people also use this time to take phone calls while they walk or even use a treadmill as a standing desk to increase they’re daily movement.

2. Bad Weather? No Problem

Like it or not, an indoor treadmill means you have no excuse not to exercise!  For those of us who hate missing workouts, this is good news! Snow, rain, and extreme heat stop many walkers and runners from fitting in their workout, but an indoor workout means you don’t have to miss any days. Even if you prefer exercising outside, having a treadmill at home as backup can be incredibly helpful for staying consistent when bad weather hits.

3. Calorie Burn & Weight Loss

Losing weight by burning calories through cardio activity is one of the top reasons to exercise on a treadmill. Jogging at a moderate pace for about 20 minutes, on average, can burn around 160 calories for a 125-pound person (calorie burn will generally increase with weight and body size). You can increase the calorie burn by simply hitting a few buttons to increase your speed or incline. On the contrary, when you’re outdoors, you have to work with your environment, whether flat or hilly. On a treadmill you are in control of the variation to perfectly fit your needs. This works particularly well for HIIT workouts if that’s your thing.

4. Safety

Perhaps your neighborhood isn’t very safe or you live near big roads with lots of traffic and few sidewalks. Maybe you have coyotes or other wild animals in your neighborhood like I do! Or running before or after work is the only time you have, but you don’t feel safe running in the dark. running outside alone can also be a concern, especially for women. For older adults or anyone with certain conditions like cardiovascular disease, exercising at home is much safer because if breathing becomes labored or it gets too tiring, you won’t end up far away from home without help. Exercising indoors at home offers protection from all of these concerns.

5. Approachable & Accessible

Do you feel awkward at gyms? Treadmills are one of the easiest ways to get started with exercise. Exercise can be intimidating, but we all know how to walk or jog! It’s a simple way to get started with working out.

Do you have little motivation to move your body on a regular basis even though you know you should? If you can get a treadmill at home, a more attainable goal is walking 10-20 minutes per day at home rather than going to the gym for 30 minutes per day (which also includes having the right clothes, packing a gym bag, driving to the gym and finding parking). When it’s easy and accessible, you’re far more likely to achieve your goal!

6. Boosts Energy Levels

When you’re tired, the last thing you may want to do is workout. But daily exercise is actually one of the best things to help with low energy levels! Moving helps to increase energy and vitality – which is why so many people love to exercise. It gets more blood flowing through the entire body, including the brain, and when you have more oxygen being delivered it helps with mental energy, focus and productivity. Regular use will also improve overall stamina for any physical activity, from walking up stairs to hiking to playing with your kids.

7. Improved Blood Circulation & Reduced Heart Disease Risk

As mentioned above, improved blood flow is a benefit of walking or running on the treadmill (and any type of exercise). The boost to circulation helps to get oxygen and nutrients to cells and helps prevent build up of plaque in arteries. Any weight loss that comes of cardiovascular exercise will also help to reduce body fat and chances of heart disease.

8. Reduces Stress and Anxiety

Exercise is a great stress reliever. I’ve always found a hard run at the end of a frustrating day to be therapeutic. Working out releases feel-good hormones in the brain called endorphins that help reduce stress and anxiety. A quality exercise session in the morning can make you feel accomplished and productive, setting you up for success for the day and greater ability to cope with stressors. At the end of a tough day, a run can help to relieve anxiety that has built up, helping you release stress and enjoy a restful evening.

9. Lower Impact on Joints

The surface of a treadmill is softer than the ground, reducing impact to knees, hips and ankles. Walking or jogging outdoors puts more force on your joints than the same movements done on a treadmill at the same speed. If it’s more comfortable, you’re also likely to do it more often and for longer timeframes, which will lead to all of the above benefits!

Running on a Treadmills vs. Outdoors

These 9 benefits of treadmill exercise show how worthwhile they are. But does that mean you shouldn’t run outside? Not necessarily. Here are a couple reasons why.

Benefits of Running Outside

1. Being in Nature

Being outdoors and seeing the sky, trees, birds and getting some vitamin D are incredibly beneficial for both mental and physical health. When I need to fit in a structured training session, such as in preparation for a triathlon, I’ll run on a treadmill. But when I want to feel really good and clear my head, I go outside! These can be some of my favorite times for prayer, thinking through problems, or moving meditation. We all need to get out in nature on a regular basis, so try to take some of your exercise sessions outdoors for mental health.

2. Treadmills Cannot Mimic Outdoors

If you run for athletic purpose such as competing in races or trying to get more fit, then you should still run outdoors sometimes if possible. The variation in terrain, incline, wind and temperature can make you stronger, more agile, more adaptable, and better prepared for races. Indoors running simply cannot quite match the variation and unique challenges of being outside.

Final Tips for Treadmill Exercise at Home

If you do plan to use a treadmill at home, I recommend you place it on a treadmill mat or puzzle mat to help protect your floors. Use code Holly10 with the links above to get 10% off your mats.

You should also look for one with a water bottle holder to that makes it easy to grab water anytime you need it. Hydration is key! And don’t forget to have a towel handy to wipe off sweat.

So, what do you think? Would you rather walk/run outside or do you prefer treadmills?  

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