When you start walking for exercise, you may wonder if it’s better to head outdoors to walk, or if a treadmill walking workout is just as good.
I recently got the chance to speak to Milica McDowell, a doctor of physical therapy, exercise physiologist and VP of operations for foot health company Gait Happens, and asked her this very question. It’s not that simple, McDowell replied, who advocated a best-of-both-worlds approach, but did highlight one unique feature of treadmills that gives it the edge in certain situations.
Milica McDowell is a doctor of physical therapy, with more than 20 years of experience in sports orthopedics. She served for nine years as a member of the university faculty in health and human performance at Montana State University-Bozeman and is an expert in exercise, fitness, walking, shoes, healthy habit stacking, behavior change, sports medicine, orthopedics, injury prevention, posture and gait mechanics. McDowell is also a personal trainer, gym owner, 13-time Ironman finisher, 50km ultramarathon finisher and a CrossFit level 1 certified coach.
“There is some shock absorption on a treadmill that you do not get outdoors,” says McDowell. “So, if you’re somebody who has arthritis, or you’ve had a recent surgery, or you’re returning to walking after a layoff, or maybe you were pregnant, you’re elderly, or maybe you just took an exercise break, then a treadmill is a nice place to start because you can be incredibly gradual and you’re getting some force absorption.”
You also have more control on a treadmill—it isn’t going to go any faster than you set it, nor will the incline increase without your say-so.
“I would also say a treadmill is a little gentler on the joints and it does have an increased safety factor over walking outside.”
“I live in a very northern part of…
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