If you’ve ever been actively involved in a sport, then you’ll know that high-powered fitness reaps amazing benefits. From the way you feel to the physical effects on your body, activities such as running have long been regarded as the best way to get in shape and stay in shape. This is primarily because running has many types of benefits, short-term and long-term, that have been proven to help you feel happier and keep you healthier – physically and emotionally. If you are thinking of taking up running, the below benefits will surely encourage you to start and stay motivated. Why You Should Be Running Short Term: Weight Control & Toning: Running helps you to lose or maintain your body weight, and also tones your core and legs. Stress Relief: Running regularly forces your body to exert a lot of energy, allowing you to return from your run completely refreshed and de-stressed. Long Term: Immunity: Running can reduce your risk of several diseases, including certain cancers. Overall Health: Running can increase the strength of your lungs, raise good cholesterol levels, and prevent blood clots from developing. How to Start Running Make sure you do a few stretches beforehand to prevent any chance of injury. Start by running only 2-3 days each week, and slowly build yourself up to running every day. Use interval training methods to make the most of your time. Interval training means that you alternate between running and walking, as the running will keep your heart rate up, but the walking will prevent over-exhaustion and overexertion. Troy our 3:2 ration – Walk for 3 minutes, and then run for 2 minutes, then repeat! Enjoy your time when you are running. Try to approach this new activity with an exciting mindset and not think of it as a chore you must do. Ways to Get The Most Impact Out of Running Stairs. Running up stairs will increase the amount of calories you burn and also help tone your thighs & glutes. Uphill or Downhill. Likewise, incorporating elevation into your running routine will tone benefit your thighs & glutes as well. Sand. If you leave near a beach, running barefoot on the sand ("trekking") when it is not too hot out will help tone your glutes. Where You Can Run The best places to run are those that are outdoors and surrounded by nature. Most people prefer to run by the beach, through a park, or on a nature trail. But if you prefer to stay indoors, you can invest in a proper treadmill and face it towards a window so that you can still enjoy the outdoors. Who You Can Run With While running can be a great way to make time for yourself, it is also a great way to bond with friends or family, or even a pet. Take your significant other with you every so often, or meet up with your friends halfway between your houses to keep yourself motivated. Or use the time you usually spend walking your dog to increase both of your exercise regimen.
