An interesting question. The short answer is No.

Pads don't really increase safety. They increase the margin of error. Much like modern running shoes mask the pain of poor running technique and promote running injuries, padded indoor environments can mask the pain of poor landing and rolling technique. Train that way for too long, and bad habits will be formed.

We don't live in a padded world. The environments we move through are made of wood, stone, and metal. Rely too much on an indoor training environment and you will be woefully unprepared for the "real world." That can be dangerous.

I've seen this take two forms. Sometimes, indoor trained athletes freeze in a real environment because they've come to rely on the padding like a crutch. Other times, indoor trained athletes have an overly optimistic view of their own skill and take enormous risks - which can end in injury.

Train in the real world from day-one and you will learn to respect your environment and your body. You'll make slower progress, but that progress will be real, not a facade. Properly utilized, indoor training can be a valuable tool, but it should be a tool, not status-quo.

Last updated on May 13, 2011 by Colin Pistell