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2014-01-24 1:20 PM
in reply to: JohnnyKay


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Subject: RE: Treadmill pace and distance vs outdoors

Originally posted by JohnnyKay

Originally posted by bcagle25 Treadmills are never really accurate

I find it funny that many people believe this, yet put their full faith in GPS and/or footpods.  I agree that the treadmill may not be 'really accurate', but a decent treadmill is going to be MUCH more accurate than either of the other two in most cases.

 

I disagree. I've run on a LOT of treadmills over 2 decades, in numerous gyms, from high-end to low-end. I definitely would not say treadmills are the gold standard. 

 

If you run on the SAME treadmill (like one you own), it will be extremely precise, meaning reproducible. But even that TM will not exactly match your pace/effort compared to workouts on a track. Even a 10sec/mile difference can make or break when doing stuff like VO2max intervals at that pace.

 

Furthermore, just go to different gyms and run on a variety of TMs. YOu will find HUGE pace discrepancies, even if the TMs are precise. Even with top-rated bransd. I have never heard of a commercial gym advertising that they regularly recalibrate their TMs for pace  despite the heavy use.

 



2014-01-24 9:58 PM
in reply to: JohnnyKay

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Subject: RE: Treadmill pace and distance vs outdoors
Originally posted by JohnnyKay

Originally posted by bcagle25 Treadmills are never really accurate

I find it funny that many people believe this, yet put their full faith in GPS and/or footpods.  I agree that the treadmill may not be 'really accurate', but a decent treadmill is going to be MUCH more accurate than either of the other two in most cases.




So then why I am constantly recalibrating treadmills each month when working at the gym? And why is my GPS accurate when on a wheel measured course?
2014-01-25 1:55 AM
in reply to: bcagle25

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Subject: RE: Treadmill pace and distance vs outdoors
Originally posted by bcagle25

Originally posted by JohnnyKay

Originally posted by bcagle25 Treadmills are never really accurate

I find it funny that many people believe this, yet put their full faith in GPS and/or footpods.  I agree that the treadmill may not be 'really accurate', but a decent treadmill is going to be MUCH more accurate than either of the other two in most cases.




So then why I am constantly recalibrating treadmills each month when working at the gym? And why is my GPS accurate when on a wheel measured course?


Good job. You are doing good work.
On the other hand, if a TM needs re-calibration every month...you can see how that is a problem in itself and the source of the complaint.
2014-01-25 8:50 AM
in reply to: dfroelich

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Subject: RE: Treadmill pace and distance vs outdoors
Originally posted by dfroelich

Originally posted by bcagle25

Originally posted by JohnnyKay

Originally posted by bcagle25 Treadmills are never really accurate

I find it funny that many people believe this, yet put their full faith in GPS and/or footpods.  I agree that the treadmill may not be 'really accurate', but a decent treadmill is going to be MUCH more accurate than either of the other two in most cases.




So then why I am constantly recalibrating treadmills each month when working at the gym? And why is my GPS accurate when on a wheel measured course?


Good job. You are doing good work.
On the other hand, if a TM needs re-calibration every month...you can see how that is a problem in itself and the source of the complaint.


Exactly, but you also have to look at how much use that treadmill is getting. If you have your own personal treadmill you should be fine. The treadmill we use at the human performance lab works well, but then when I work at the gym, those treadmills go off much quicker, especially the ones right in front of the TV's.

GPS is also dependent on the course. A course that is flat, exposed, and has few turns will be far more accurate then one with rolling hills, through the woods with lots of turns.
2014-01-25 2:07 PM
in reply to: bcagle25

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Subject: RE: Treadmill pace and distance vs outdoors
Originally posted by bcagle25

Treadmills are never really accurate, but if you want use the same treadmill every time so you have accuracy within your own runs.



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