You need all types of exercise to be truly healthy. You need ones that keep you flexible, ones that keep you strong and ones that improve your endurance and cardiovascular system. One of the easiest ways to get that cardio is by running. Running has a number of benefits. You can do it anywhere. It doesn’t require much equipment, outside of a good pair of running shoes. Aside from ensuring you have good posture, running for fun doesn’t require a lot of training either. Running is good for your heart and provides many other healthy benefits.
Running boosts the strength of your heart.
Just like any other muscle, the heart needs a workout to be strong. You wouldn’t expect to get strong biceps without specifically working those muscles. There’s no difference when it comes to the heart, which is a muscle also. Running increases the efficiency of the heart by strengthening the walls of the heart.
Running can help you lose weight.
Obesity is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths. In order to lose weight you have to burn more calories than you consume. Running burns calories. The key to being successful with using running as a weight loss aid is the same as it is for any type of exercise. First, you have to combine it with a healthy diet. Second, you have to be consistent. Third, you have to start off slower and work your way to faster times and longer runs.
Running helps lower both blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Low density lipoproteins—LDL, the bad cholesterol, decrease if you run 30 minutes three to five times a week. High levels of LDLs in your blood can build up and cause plaque, blocking arteries. Running can help lower the levels and prevent it from occurring. In fact, it can even reduce the amount of plaque already there. Running is also proven to help lower blood pressure levels. Like any physical activity, doing it consistently is important to get the results you want.
- You need all types of exercises, strength, cardio, flexibility and balance, to be truly fit. While running burns a lot of calories, it uses both muscle and fat tissue to provide those calories. Add strength training two or three days a week to ensure you don’t lose muscle mass.
- You’ll be asking your heart to do less work when you run regularly. Running strengthens the heart and lowers the pulse rate, while providing more oxygen. That means your heart won’t have to work harder.
- Running helps improve circulation and reduces the risk of blood clots. Running regularly can reduce the risk of heart disease by as much as 55%.
- A healthy diet is just as important as regular exercise, so make sure you have that as part of your fitness regimen. If you’re trying to shed weight, a healthy diet is the first place to start. You can’t out-exercise a bad diet.
For more information, contact us today at Evolution Lifestyle Fitness