For those who are running, the feeling of running on a jogger and running outdoors is definitely very different, but is there really a big difference between the two? The following are answers to several common questions.
Is running on a jogger as effective as running outdoors?Experts say that outdoor running is slightly different from running on a jogger, but is largely as effective as outdoor training.
Bas Van, a competitive running sportsman and researcher at the University of Macheng, Netherlands Hooren told The Washington Post that when running at a jog speed of up to 16 kilometers per hour, its oxygen consumption and heart rate were similar to outdoor running.
Hooren supplements that if you do most or all of your training on a running machine, the slight difference in energy consumption may increase.
In addition to this, the running machine itself may also have limitations. James McKirdy told Washington Post that some running machines can only achieve a certain speed, while others may display inaccurate speeds on the screen due to quality or wear.
Will running opportunities affect your running style?Experts suggest that at least a few minutes to familiarize themselves with running on the jogger.
Van Hooren points out that the hardness of the jogger will affect the way you run, and even your footsteps. A harder and less flexible jogging machine is more like running on the sidewalk.
Van Hooren said that running on harder jogging machines usually uses more feet to follow the ground, which may reduce the load on the Achilles tendon (the muscle behind the calf) but increases the load on the knee. On the contrary, running on a flexible jogger, runners use their forefoot to hold the ground more, which will bring more burden to the Achilles tendon but less burden to the knee.
Why is it difficult to run on a jogger than run outdoors?Experts say that running on a jogger is similar to running outdoors, but running on a jogger may feel more laborious.
In a 2019 review, Van Hooren and his co-authors recommended why runners prefer outdoor running. Part of the reason may be that the runner has better control over their speed and ability to stop moving. They also have lower risk of falling than on joggers.
What can I do to make running on a jogger no longer boring?Experts suggest that focusing on other things can make running on the jogger more enjoyable. For example, covering the clock on the jogging machine with clothes or towels, or watching movies or TV shows, or listening to podcasts or music that match your running rhythm.
In addition, you can also use a running machine to try different types of food without worrying about not having a toilet available outside.
As long as you remember, running on a jogging machine is also part of the training. Marathon runner Kelly Walsh told Washington Post that “Every mile is a miles (the goal), and we all have to do as much as we can to complete them in the right time.”