Intervals on treadmill - Training

HK Pink Lady

06/02/2013 at 13:16

Personally I find intervals / speedwork reps on treadmills easier than when run outside, say in a park, or track. Pace is easier to monitor, and conditions are not variable.

Do they have the same positive impact? Or are they a "cheat" training mode? Hmmm!

Whats' your say?

Max's Mum

06/02/2013 at 13:27

Yes they are easier, and you dont work as hard.

ross riley

06/02/2013 at 13:30

1% incline on the treadmill and they are more or less the same.

David Falconer 3

06/02/2013 at 13:32

At the end of the day, you can overthink these things. Does it make it easier? Yes ...... but so what, just do it longer or faster than you would do outside.

If you come out of the gym, gasping for air, yelling 'Im dying!' ..... then your body doesnt care whether you were on a belt or on solid ground for the previous hour.

People can be a bit prissy about treadmills, but the bottom line is,the human body is a pretty simple machine, and it doesnt sit there and go 'Oh well, I see they did all this on a treadmill so Im going to reduce my improvement by 10% as a penalty.'

If you bust a gut at the gym, thats all that matters.

cougie

pirate

06/02/2013 at 13:44

I think they're about the same. Why would they be easier ?

If you notice they're easier - then maybe your treadmill is reading too low ? Try it faster next time ? Simples.

I like the treadmill as it is easier for me to monitor progress and more repeatable.

Max's Mum

06/02/2013 at 13:57

and its more boring. . .

doesnt the fact that the 'ground' is effectively moving under you assist leg turnover?

Edited: 06/02/2013 at 14:01

cougie

pirate

06/02/2013 at 14:09

It doesn't feel any easier ? And the ground outside is moving underneath you too - actually its you that's moving - but it feels about the same.

I don't find it that boring. Intervals go quickly - steady runs are a bit worse - but there's always plenty of odd people to look at at the gym. Far more than being outside.

Max's Mum

06/02/2013 at 14:13

Guess its a bit like marmite then?

cougie

pirate

06/02/2013 at 14:15

Only if you put Marmite on a 1% gradient.

Max's Mum

06/02/2013 at 14:25

haha!
or unless you're this guy

http://s3.runnersworld.co.uk/members/images/592148/gallery/marmite_man.jpg?width=350

(from our local parkrun)

Also-ran

06/02/2013 at 21:54

My heart rate for intervals is a tiny bit higher on a treadmill than on a track for the same pace. Probably just the indoor environment making it a tiny bit harder.

If your doing a VO2 interval session, you're in the right heart rate zone, and running with good form, then I would be happy enough doing them in a hamster wheel. If its too easy then increase speed or incline of a treadmill.

I'm not fussed one way or the other about marmite.

Edited: 06/02/2013 at 21:59

LunchtimeRunner

07/02/2013 at 18:10

They are easier because you're not getting any air resistance. So either stick it on 1% or add a bit of speed - I add 0.5 kph, which is roughly equivalent. But as also-ran/DF3 say, if you are in the right effort/HR zone, that is what actually counts.

Certainly not cheating.

Edited: 07/02/2013 at 18:10

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