Benefits of jogging

There are many health and fitness benefits of jogging. There are also three schools of thought regarding this great exercise.
1)It is too hard, I can't even run 2 minutes without getting exhausted
2)It is long and boring and hard on the joints, why do it when you can do intervals, besides it eats at your muscle
3)I enjoy it and it is incredibly addictive

I must admit I come from a different school, I agree with all of the above and I disagree with all of the above. So grab your jogging gear as I address each point regarding the benefits of jogging.

Point 1
For a beginner this is true. It is an art though and can be learned. I once had a client who moved to a neighbourhood where there was a large park nearby. This person had never jogged in her life. She was aged 30 at the time. She decided to take up jogging because everyone else was doing it. After a few failed attempts I was contacted and asked. How do you jog? I can't seem to maintain it. I am exhausted within a few minutes I told her to not try and keep up with anyone, simple go for a power walk and then run slightly faster until you feel like you are walking funny because of the speed, then break into a very slow jog. Slightly faster than a power walk. See how long you can last, only 5 minutes? Great. Add 1-2 minutes every few days until you can reach 30 minutes without stopping.

A few months later I get a call saying she just completed a competitive 10 kilometre run (approx 7 miles) without stopping, just by following that simple advice. She has since kicked on and just recently completed her 3rd marathon!

One of the great benefits of jogging is the incredible endurance and heart health it builds. Further to that it burns a large amount of calories and is the fastest way to lose fat quickly.

Point 2
A favourite line of many gym junkies, it doesn't have to be long and as for boredom, there are ipods and beating your personal best. Seriously though, in the first ten to fiftenn minutes you will ask yourself what the hell am I doing. Shortly after this, your muscles will warm up, you will feel less pain and the endorphins will kick in for what they call the runners high.

Another of the great benefits of jogging is the stress relief it provides. It does wonders for your stress levels. What about Intervals? I love intervals, they are intense and should never be something you do every single day. Variety is the key to successful training. Add in 1-2 long jogs a week and watch as you become so lean and fit your friends will wonder what the hell your doing. Jogging burns huge amounts of calories a 1 hour jog can equal 700-800 calories. A 20 minute interval even with the raise in metabolism afterwards will not be near this amount.

Sore joints? if it is your only form of training, (and it shouldn't be) of course. Used as part of a complete program it will provide nutrients to the joints and bones making them stronger. As long as you provide your body with rest periods, the correct nutrition and good jogging gear. Make sure you have high quality jogging shoes. The sore joints arguement doesn't hold. Over training of any type can cause injury.

What about eating muscle. Another twisting of the facts. Often maraton runners are cited as they are very thin due to lack of fat and also lack of muscle. The amount of running they do is extreme and does eat into their muscle. You and I are not training for a marathon (you might be and thats ok). I just want to highlight a point. Look at a middle distance runner and suddenly it doesn't seem so extreme. Jogging twice a week, once for 30 minutes and once for 60 minutes will in no way eat into your muscle. In fact it will provide you with better circulation and endurance and make your other workouts more effective.

Point 3
Taken to the extreme all of the above are possible you can get addicted (which is ok I guess), but if it becomes your only source of training, you risk injury, it will hurt your joints and can eat into your muscle. You will also be neglecting other areas of your fitness.

The benefits of jogging are great when done properly. As mentioned it is the fastest way to lose weight and great for endurance, fitness and heart health, so grab your jogging gear and get started today.

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