One of the easiest ways to get a quick workout in is by going for a run. Whether it's around the neighborhood, on the nearest track, or even on the treadmill, running is great for the body & the mind. The human body was built to run long distances of up to 5km. In today's blog post, we’re going to be taking a look at many reasons as to why running is so important.
#1 Running improves cardiovascular health
Right off the bat, running is one of the best ways that we can maintain our cardiovascular system. Because of its relatively high intensity, running utilizes fatty acids and carbohydrates for energy. In return, this minimizes the overall work your heart has to do, leaving you with a resting moderate pulse. Studies have shown that running could be connected to a near 45% drop in potential death from Cardiovascular disease.
#2 Running can relieve stress
There’s no better feeling than going on an intense run with your favorite song pumping in your headphones. It's a feeling that's hard to describe, but can change your overall mood instantly. When we run, our blood flows through our system and to our brains with ease. On top of this, running releases endocannabinoids, a chemical found naturally in our bodies similar to cannabis. This creates a sense of relief and relaxation.
#3 Running will improve and help with sleeping
The one thing so many of us look forward to after a solid workout is the sleep that comes after. This pro is relevant to almost any exercise. Any moderate to intense workout will likely leave your body pretty exhausted after the fact. This will reduce the amount of time it takes you to generally fall asleep and help you get into a deeper REM sleep.
#4 Running burns calories
This one is pretty straight forward. Running is an exercise that involves a lot of body movement and thus calorie burning. The average runner burns between 200-500 calories in a half hour run. The final number depends on a variety of things such as your speed, weight & height.
#5 Running is accessible
Running is one of if not the easiest exercise to immediately get to. There's no gym or equipment required other than a good pair of shoes. Most neighborhoods have paths or areas dedicated to runners making it easier than ever. As we mentioned indoor walking tracks or treadmills are also great options for those who prefer a cooler indoor setting. Otherwise to start running, simply get outside!
#6 Running can improve muscle and bone strength
Running can be a great way to build muscle in the lower body. Specifically, your quads & hamstrings. In order for muscle to be built from running, there must be a proper nutrient intake. A protein strong diet is key in building muscle. Meats & eggs are great ways to get more protein.
#7 There's no commitment with running
Have you ever felt like that $50 coming out of your account for the gym every month just wasn’t worth it for what you were committing to? With running, it's an exercise that can be done at your own pace. There's no set time you have to do it, no limit on how much or little you have to do it and most importantly it's free! The feeling of guilt for not doing enough disappears as there’s no monetary reminder for what you’re not doing!
With the wonderful weather, it has never been a better time than now to start your running journey. Whether you're looking for protein to build up that running muscle or you need some MySupps merch for your run, we’ve got you covered.
