What Incline on a Treadmill Is the Same As a Flat Surface?

Treadmills are an invaluable training tool for runners who cannot get outside due to the weather, dangerous conditions or scheduling problems. Running on a treadmill offers similar calorie-burning and cardiovascular benefits as running outside. However, there are differences that must be taken into account when using a treadmill. Many coaches and experts recommend setting a slight incline when running on a treadmill to help account for these differences.

Expert Insight

A study from August 1996 in the Journal of Sports Science investigated what incline could make running on the treadmill more accurately duplicate the energy output of outdoor running. In this study, researchers from the University of Brighton in the United Kingdom had nine trained male runners run for six minutes at various speeds at various inclines ranging from 0 to 3 percent. The runners were also tested when running outdoors on a flat road. The researchers tested participants’ oxygen intake—or VO2 max--during each of the runs. They found that a 1 percent grade best matched the intensity of outdoor running.

Wind Resistance

One of the reasons a treadmill run at a zero percent incline is easier than running outdoors is the lack of wind resistance. On a treadmill, you do not move against the air. According to Rick Morris, author of Treadmill Training for Runners, outdoor air resistance can increase the difficulty of your run between 2 and 10 percent. The faster you run, the greater the effect of air resistance.

Terrain Factors

Outdoor terrain is always changing slightly. Even a flat road features bumps, divots and minor hills. Your running surface often changes, too—from a trail to concrete paths to asphalt—creating subtle differences in challenge. A treadmill belt never changes, so setting a slight incline makes a greater challenge which better represents outdoor experiences.

Form Considerations

Your form changes when you run on a treadmill versus outdoors. According to Olympic running coach Nicholas Romanov, your body naturally leans slightly forward when running outdoors. On the treadmill, you should run more upright and quickly pick up your feet because the movement of the belt creates a drag on the feet that, over time, may lead to injury. Dr. Romanov advocates an incline of 1 to 3 percent to mimic the body-leaning-forward position assumed outdoors.

Potential

Running at 1 percent simulates outdoor flat terrains, but you can use the treadmill to run more substantial hills too. Commercial treadmills found in gyms can reach inclines as high as 30 percent, and can also incline downward. Running higher hills improves your ability to use oxygen, enables you to run at higher intensities and enhances your overall running technique. Use a treadmill to simulate hilly outdoor courses that you might encounter in a race.