Treadmill simulation
I am often asked whether it is better to run on a treadmill or on the road as many people comment that running on a treadmill feels somewhat "easier" than running at the same pace than running over the ground. Why is this?
If you're running 15km/hr on the road, surely if you stoke a treadmill up to the same speed you'll be doing the same sort of work. Or will you?
When you run on a treadmill, the ground (or rather belt) is being pulled underneath your feet and there's no wind resistance. When running outdoors, you literally have to lift and pull yourself over the ground and deal with air resistance.
Running on a treadmill, along the flat is indeed "easier" than running at the equivalent pace outdoors, but, as you will see, this too can have its advantages. So how you can simulate running outdoors on the treadmill to make up for the air resistance and having the belt moving under you, rather than you moving over the ground?
Simple. Stick the treadmill on a slight incline - 1.5-2% will suffice. You will then find that the speed on the treadmill and what you experience outside over the ground will be similar.
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