Running is a high-impact form of cardio that burns calories quickly, stresses the heart and lungs more intensely than many other cardio workouts, and recruits large lower-body muscles that help with loosing weight and building strength. https://runningcardio.com/running-as-cardio-vs-other-cardio-exercises-what-makes-it-different/
What running does differently
– Impact and bone health: Running is a high-impact activity that places more force through bones and joints, which can stimulate bone density gains that low-impact machines do not provide as strongly. https://www.menshealth.com/uk/fitness/cardio-exercise/a69607997/treadmill-vs-outdoor-running-differences/
– Muscle engagement: Running uses major lower-body muscles-glutes, quads, hamstrings and calves-more than many other cardio options, giving you both a cardiovascular challenge and a strength stimulus in the legs. https://runningcardio.com/running-as-cardio-vs-other-cardio-exercises-what-makes-it-different/
– Calories and fat loss: Because running often requires higher intensity, it typically burns more calories per minute than gentler cardio workouts, which makes it an efficient choice for loosing weight when paired with proper nutrition. https://www.nike.com/a/elliptical-treadmill-running
How it compares to other cardio workouts
– Walking and incline walking: Walking is lower impact and more sustainable for beginners and people with joint issues, but it burns fewer calories per minute than running; incline walking can increase intensity but generally still lags behind running for raw calorie burn. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naGaFS3okrU https://runningcardio.com/running-as-cardio-vs-other-cardio-exercises-what-makes-it-different/
– Elliptical and exercise bike: These machines offer gentler, low-impact cardio that is easier on knees and hips and useful for adding aerobic volume without the same recovery cost as running; calories burned can be comparable if intensity is matched, though running often has the edge for peak calorie burn. https://www.nike.com/a/elliptical-treadmill-running
– Rowing machine: Rowing provides a full-body cardio workout that engages upper and lower body and can build muscle while burning calories; it is lower impact on knees compared with running and can be a better option for people seeking whole-body strengthening plus cardio. https://www.garagegymreviews.com/treadmill-vs-rowing-machine
Treadmill versus outdoor running
– Physiological similarity: Heart-rate and energy cost for many paces are similar between treadmill and outdoor running, so treadmill sessions can deliver nearly the same cardiovascular benefits as outdoor runs. https://jeremykormanmd.com/post/outdoor-running-vs-treadmill-running
– Impact differences: Treadmills usually reduce impact by roughly 10 to 20 percent compared with road running, which can spare joints when you need lower load. https://www.menshealth.com/uk/fitness/cardio-exercise/a69607997/treadmill-vs-outdoor-running-differences/
– Environmental factors: Outdoor runs add variables like wind, terrain and elevation change that increase neuromuscular demand and variety; treadmills give climate control and consistency for safe, repeatable cardio workouts. https://jeremykormanmd.com/post/outdoor-running-vs-treadmill-running
Who should favor running and who should choose other cardio
– Choose running if you want efficient calorie burn, stronger lower-body muscles and bone-loading benefits and you have healthy joints or a gradual progression plan. https://runningcardio.com/running-as-cardio-vs-other-cardio-exercises-what-makes-it-different/
– Choose low-impact cardio like cycling, elliptical or rowing if you need to protect your knees or hips, are recovering from injury, or want a full-body strength-plus-cardio option that is gentler on the skeleton. https://www.nike.com/a/elliptical-treadmill-running https://www.garagegymreviews.com/treadmill-vs-rowing-machine
Practical tips for using running as cardio
– Progress gradually to reduce injury risk: increase distance or time by small amounts each week and mix in rest or low-impact days.