Healing Connections

When planning an exercise routine, most people want to incorporate some type of walking, jogging, or running. The multiple benefits of such activities – cardiovascular, bone density, muscles, weight loss, and energy, to name a few – are enough to encourage most to add this physical activity to the exercise plan.

Many often wonder, however, whether it is more beneficial to walk, run, or jog on a treadmill or the roads. For the most part, the physical benefits are the same. These activities involve moving muscle and bone against the force of gravity, and using the hard surface of concrete gives a slight benefit over the treadmill. The exception is jogging which should be done on a less rigid surface like a track or a treadmill – even the actual road has a more forgiving surface than the sidewalk.

On a treadmill, you can adjust the speed, incline, and resistance to give a more intense workout. For those who want to gradually increase those levels to provide more of a challenge, the treadmill has those features. However, some people find the same challenges by altering the routes, increasing speeds, and wearing arm weights for resistance.

The most obvious consideration in this scenario is climate. For those living in fairly stable, mild climates like Southern California or Hawaii, conditions are, more often than not, suitable for outdoor exercise. Even then there will be days of rain, chilly temperatures, or excessive heat that can throw off your exercise schedule. Unless there is a gym membership in the picture, that can be utilized when weather conditions are not ideal, outdoor exercise can be tough to add to a regular routine.

On the other hand, the fresh air and scenery, especially in good climates, might be enough to warrant the addition of outdoor activities to your exercise regimen. Many people who walk, jog, or run outside, claim that they feel refreshed and energized after being out in the elements.

The ideal situation for anyone incorporating walking, jogging, or running into an exercise plan, is to take all factors into consideration. If you already plan to be at a gym to take advantage of exercise machines, using the treadmill at that time might be the best decision. But if it is possible to add the once-a-week outdoor walk or hike to your schedule, the rejuvenation from the fresh air might just be worth a try.