Adults who run forty minutes per day, or roughly five hours per week, are more likely to become centenarians according to a study reported at MSNBC.com. Researchers at Stanford University followed runners and non-runners for 21 years and found that the runners “lived longer and functioned better physically and cognitively as they got older.”
Running occasionally gets a bad rap because of the stress it can cause on the joints and the intense aerobic capacity that it may require. But running can be performed at many different levels of intensity and heading out for a jog has many more health benefits than drawbacks. Other benefits of running include:
- Weight loss. Running burns 500 -1000 calories per hour depending on the size and speed of the runner.
- Stress relief. A quiet run offers the perfect opportunity for time alone, away from stresses of daily life.
- Improved cardiovascular fitness. Running is one of the best ways to raise the heart rate and strengthen the heart and lungs.
- Increased lower body strength. Running helps to build strength in the legs, hips and buttocks.
- Social networking. Running groups provide a healthy way to network and meet new friends. Training and participating in local running events is a great way to get involved in the community.
- Establishes good family health habits. Fit kids come from parents who value vigorous exercise and who participate in their own exercise routine.
Want to become a runner?
First, get started by becoming a fit walker. Walking provides excellent exercise benefits and is the perfect way to establish a foundation to become a runner. Once walking becomes comfortable, begin including short intervals of a slow jog. Try these workouts:
If you are ready to become a runner, set a goal to get yourself motivated. Sign up for a Get Your Rear in Gear 5K in your community today!