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Is running as good as it's cracked up to be?

Ah good old running! I love it very much but is it as good for fitness and losing weight as it’s cracked be? I’ve been thinking and reading a lot about it lately and here is what I’ve come up with - the good and the bad.

What type of runing are you talking about?

I thought I should divide this post into high intensity running (sprinting) and low intensity running (jogging) as the two are so different and have so many different qualities and negativities.

Sprinting

First I want to take a look at sprinting.

Sprinting has as so many advantages and it is a very natural form of exercise. We are alwyas trying to complicate our weight loss and exercise by creating new machines or needing new workout programs but in actual fact sprinting will do the trick. It is amazing for weight loss and for fitness.

The advantages of sprinting include:

• excellent weight loss
• increased metabolism
• increased lung and heart fitness
• increased speed (for sport)
• increased lower body strength and power
• increased muscle definition

The great thing about sprinting is that you can just go out there and do it. Head to the local park, warm up and then sprint around for 20 minutes. If you make sure you are progressing and doing a little bit more each time then you will always make progress.

Disadvantages of sprinting:

Of course, with such a high intensity exercise there are bound to be some downfalls.

• potential to pull muscles
• sore muscles for days after the session
• high energy output so harder to perform on regular basis

Overall though, sprinting is one of the best exercises you can do for your health and your weight loss. At the minimum I think everyone should do some high intensity spriting at least once a week.

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Jogging

Jogging, however effective it might or might not be, is one of my all time favorite things in life. I have fond memories of my old soccer training days where I would be up at 5am runnnig the streets in the cool air. I also have fond memories of how fit I was when I ran everyday and how lean my body was.

Advantages of jogging

• it is so easy to do
• it is low impact and there is small chance of injury
• you don’t need any equipment
• you get lots of fresh air and clean out your system
• lose weight whilst getting fit and healthy

However, I have always thought that the number one advantage of jogging was that it relaxes you. I have never felt the kind of calm and stable mind that I feel when I am running up a hill while the sun is rising and the air is cool. I feel so supple and loose and just happy in general. If you have stress problems I think an early morning jog does wonders.

Disadvantages of jogging

• it can be boring
• it can cause people to get sore knees and ankles
• it takes a long time

Conclusion

Running is one of the oldest and most natural forms of exericse. It has helped people to get fit and healthy and lose weight for hundreds of years. There is no reason why we should give up such and excellent source of exercise so keep running as a regular item in your workout.

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