YAWT: Question about running...

[kmac1914]

Okay, for the last month or so, I've been doing all my running on the track that we have here at my school. However, recently i began to wonder: is it better to run on the workout machines(the elliptical ones that simulate running) or on the track?

 

[gopunk]

i heard that you can injure yourself if you run the same direction because you're putting more pressure on one ankle than the other. that's just what i've heard tho, and can be easily remedied by just running a different direction every other day

 

[SackOfAllTrades]

track, cuz if you trip on the track, you don't have to worry about getting caught in the motor rotor and being slowly smashed to death.

 

[SP33Demon]

Originally posted by: dahotboykj
Okay, for the last month or so, I've been doing all my running on the track that we have here at my school. However, recently i began to wonder: is it better to run on the workout machines(the elliptical ones that simulate running) or on the track?

Depends, what type of surface are you running on? Is this assuming adequate support for your shoes? Summer or winter? Do you have a history of medical problems or injuries?

IMO if you don't have any injuries and it's an indoor track, I think treadmill would be better b/c it would pace you and you know exactly how far you ran. If your meets are outdoors (spring track) then I would train outdoors... Otherwise training outdoors for winter track, especially outdoors, can be a PITA due to the cold (cramping, tighter muscles = injuries). I would recommend timed laps indoor or treadmill for wintertrack.

Last but not least, if you're sprinting, it's probably safer to do them on the track. Like someone said earlier, if you trip while going all out on a treadmill you could seriously get hurt.

 

[kmac1914]

Well, to clarify a little bit,
-the track is an indoor one, about 1/10 of a mile per lap
-I'm more running to get in shape/improve cardio than on a team
-the surface of the track is some sort of smooth hard material, not gravel or anything

with that said, i was asking because i heard somewhere that sprinting is better for what i'm trying to accomplish than running on a machine.

 

[SP33Demon]

Originally posted by: dahotboykj
Well, to clarify a little bit,
-the track is an indoor one, about 1/10 of a mile per lap
-I'm more running to get in shape/improve cardio than on a team
-the surface of the track is some sort of smooth hard material, not gravel or anything

with that said, i was asking because i heard somewhere that sprinting is better for what i'm trying to accomplish than running on a machine.

Well, if you're trying to get in shape and want to keep muscle mass, then 400-1600 meter dashes are probably better than long distances associated with cross country. If you're just trying to improve cardio and don't care about muscle mass, then you probably want to run 4+ miles at a time.

There are many ways to do cardio and burn fat. I usually hit the recumbent bike for 19 minutes super hard on hills, and get my heartrate jacked up. This way, I don't lose any muscle mass but still get the intense workout I need to burn fat. BTW if u want to do this, do it 8-12 hours before or after your body building sessions.