The Benefits of Running - Why Start in the First Place?
Running - it's good for you!
New to Running? Here's 10 reasons why it's such a great thing to do.
So, you've chosen your running shoes, agonised over the t-shirt and shorts combination and promised yourself that this time you'll really, really, get out there and start running. Which is why the shoes are still gathering dust in the cupboard under the stairs and you'll just see if there's anything good on the telly before stepping outside.
To help you get out there and get on the road we've pulled together the top ten health benefits of running. All you need to do is pull on your trainers and run!
1) Lose weight - running is second only to cross-country skiing in burning calories per minute. Seeing as it's unlikely you'll be skiing to the shops anytime soon then running is your best bet for losing body fat. If you're struggling to control your cravings then the good news is that running tends to lessen your appetite.
2) Can slow down the aging process - the natural process of muscle and bone loss as we age can be slowed down in the bodies of frequent runners. Muscles and bones get healthier and stronger due to the demands put on them by a regular pounding around a track or a park. This means you are more likely to delay or avoid the effects of osteoporosis. But don't just take our word for it; read an interview at New Scientist with a man who is still running marathons in his 80s!
3) Better sex! - scientists at the Harvard School of Public Health showed that men who were physically active (such as runners) had 30% less chance of developing problems in the bedroom and that the increased blood flow around the body caused by regular exercise meant that both men and women experienced a more 'potent love life'. Sounds good to us!
4) Lower blood pressure - when you run your arteries get flexed more, in effect giving them a work out at the same time as you. By maintaining the flexibility of your arteries in this way you'll also be making sure your blood pressure is lowered.
5) Healthier lungs - by taking deep breaths during your run you are forcing your lungs to use more of their potential, up to 50% of the lung tissue you don't normally use! If you're a smoker then one of the benefits of jogging can be recovering large proportions of your lung potential.
6) Boosts your brain - regular runners have significantly improved mental skills as they get older than more sedentary people. Also just 25 minutes of aerobic exercise has been shown to boost creativity.
7) Improves your mood - there's no doubt about it, one of the main benefits of running is the great feeling you get by getting away from all the stresses and strains of everyday life. Be it running through woodlands, along the street or on a treadmill, when the endorphins start coursing through your system everything might just seem to be a bit more manageable. BBC News has a great article on how Ronnie Sullivan used running to combat his depression.
8) Stronger cardiovascular system - your heart and lungs will get stronger and more efficient when they get a regular chance to show off their stuff.
9) Lower cholesterol - running increases the levels of High Density Lipoproteins (the "good" kind of cholesterol) in your body while reducing the Low Density Lipoproteins (the "bad" kind). This can lower your chances of having a stroke or heart attack.
10) Joining the community! - thousands of people around the country run everyday and you can join them. There are loads of clubs and communities you can get involved with and make new and enthusiastic friends who'll support you in reaching your goals. Just take a look at our Forums to see what we mean!
We hope that's enough reasons to get you motivated to get out there and experience some of the health benefits of running for yourself. If you can think of other benefits of running then be sure to Sign Up to The Running Bug and let everyone on the forums know!
Just starting out? Then be sure to check out our guides on choosing the right running shoes for you and how to avoid running injury.
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