Is Running On A Treadmill Bad For Your Knees | Let’s Discover

One of the most common questions asked by people is ” is running on a treadmill bad for your knees?” Well, this is somewhat a complex question, because we would say yes and no, depends on many factors.

Running is a high impact sport, that places strain on human’s body. The repetitive pounding does tend to put more pressure on the ankles, knees, hips and even the lower spine. As far as running on a treadmill is concerned, however, it is actually slightly less jarring than running on a harder surface, such as concrete or tar.

The fact that running outdoors often could mean on uneven surface, poses an even greater risk to the knees. This is where running on a treadmill is a little gentler for our knees.

The answer may vary if you ask the enthusiastic runners, and those who prefer to run on indoor treadmill. Each has their own advantages and disadvantages but we will be focusing mainly on treadmill running in this post. Let’s discuss further below.

The short answer? Yes – a little. 

It is a bit easier, because the ‘ground’ moves with your feet as they strike it. It is also on a completely flat surface, without any sudden, unexpected little indentations, or loose stones to throw you off-balance.

It is also slightly less harsh on the joints, thanks to the great absorption feature – but it is still jarring and should not be undertaken without the blessing of your physician. 

So, is running on a treadmill bad for your knees? We can see the pros have outweighed the cons. However, some measurements need to be taken for not risking your knees in order for you to run longer and faster. 

For instance, wear the right shoes is by far the most essential in running. You need to ensure you have a good pair of well fitted, shock absorbing, foot supporting running shoes, before you hit the treadmill.