Running is one of the most popular forms of exercise, you can start with nothing but a pair of trainers and a bit of willpower and run just about anywhere
How does running improve your health?
So, why is running good for you? Running is brilliant for your cardiovascular health. In fact, running even a for short distances at slow speeds has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease. Additionally, running regularly lowers your resting heart rate which helps to reduce high blood pressure. Basically, your heart doesn’t have to work as hard to get the blood circulating around your body!
Can running improve your mental health?
Running is great for boosting your mood and improving your overall mental health. Like all forms of exercise, running improves your mood through the release of those nifty feel-good chemicals, endorphins. Some runners report experiencing a ‘high’ when out jogging, so this can be great for decreasing stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression.
Which muscles does running work?
Running targets your legs and your core, resulting in a strong all-round physique. Leg muscles like your quads, hamstrings, and calves all get a workout when running, and your abs and obliques also get a good pump as they stabilise your core. Be sure to warm up properly before and cool down after your run to recover and avoid any nasty strains or injuries.
Is running good for weight loss?
Running is great for weight loss! If your fitness goals involve shifting a few pounds, then you need to be burning calories, and running is good for this. Hill running and interval training can all help to make your running more intense and burn more calories. It’s such a flexible exercise to play around with!