The goal of Walk 100 Miles in 100 Days® is to get you excited about exercise and to walk at least 1 mile (about 2000 steps) every day for the next 100 days. Walking is a great form of exercise that is easy to do and can be done almost anywhere. NEW! Please click here to view a list of all team participant miles up to Week #9 (week ending June 12)
Treadmill vs. Outdoor Walking
There is an on-going argument over which is more beneficial, walking on a treadmill or walking outside. The truth is there are only slight differences between the exercise and benefits between both forms of walking. Walking any way and anywhere will always be better than being sedentary, and more beneficial for your health!
Treadmill Walking Advantages:
- Great way to get your walking in if you do not have a safe route to walk
- Pre-programmed workout plans are loaded into the treadmill to give you a workout challenge as well as variety to your workout and feedback.
- There is no worry that the weather will not cooperate with your walking plans.
- You can have entertainment such as the television or listening to music without having to use earphones
- Easy access to rest rooms and changing areas.
Treadmill Walking Disadvantages:
- Burn less calories because the moving tread does some of the work for you and there is not any wind resistance to work against. Adding a slight incline could help overcome these deficits.
- Inclines are all uphill so the muscles used in downhill walking are not used so you will need to find an alternative way to work them.
- Holding on to the handrails could hinder your posture as well as take away from burning calories.
- You also do not work as many muscles on a treadmill as you would outside.
Outdoor Walking Advantages:
- More muscle groups get worked while walking outside. Starting and stopping, dodging other people, and walking up and downhill use different muscle groups exercising different areas of the body.
- Balance and agility also are improved. Slanting and narrow side roads and alley ways provide the necessary conditions to work on these areas.
- You burn more calories walking outside because of the increase muscle use and the wind resistance you walk against.
- It gets you out of the house and/or office. The time away can be relaxing and refreshing giving you a fresh perspective on the day.
Outdoor Walking Disadvantages:
- Weather. The weather is not always conducive to an outdoor walk. Walking in the rain, cold, or extreme heat can be uncomfortable and can completely wash out your desire to walk at all. Not to mention can do a number on your health and body.
- There are not always safe routes to walk and safety is an important factor in any walking workout.
- The concrete you walk on could cause pain and added strain on joints.
- Walking outside could also be problematic for those suffering from seasonal allergies.