Why does running on treadmill feel easier?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: No wind resistance
No wind resistance ✓ — Correct! Outdoor running means pushing against air resistance, which increases effort by 2-10% depending on speed. Treadmills have still air. Plus, the belt assists slightly with leg turnover. It's measurably easier!
Climate control helps — Wrong. Comfortable temperature helps, but the lack of wind resistance is the physics-based reason for the difference in effort.
Surface is always flat — Wrong. Many treadmills can be inclined, and flat roads exist outdoors too. The key difference is air resistance, not surface variation.