Running - Demystifying the Most Effective Workout Technique
Exercising - is it all Really Worth the Hype?
In my earlier job as an executive office assistant I experienced first hand the dramatic positive effects of exercising in the most unexpected setup.
My senior, who was head of the operations manager in the largest marketing firms in the city, would be subjected to really intense questioning from the management team every Monday morning and as expected I would attend those meetings and act as his aide.
The operations department is a critical part of any business setup and the managerial team in the firm wanted to make sure that this department was always on top of its game, and with that said questions would fly in in all forms and shapes. It was quite a gruesome weekly experience to say the least.
But one of the things that really stood out was that Frank, my senior who was the direct target in all this questioning, always maintained his composure and handled it all with so much ease it was like he was working his way through a piece of buttercream vanilla cake.
As his junior I tried to copy his style, even mimic his body language, but it would all end in chaos as I’d panic and not handle the meetings as smoothly.
I later came to realize that Frank had a routine. At the end of every 45-minute session he would sneak to the lavatory and do a 3-minute stretching exercise. He would stretch his arms and legs and work on his breathing, and minutes later when the meeting resumes he would be composed, happy and ready.
So, What Does Exercising Do to the Body?
An excerpt from MedlinePlus, a government medical research body, claims that;
“Exercise strengthens your heart and improves your circulation. The increased blood flow raises the oxygen levels in your body”.
A more relatable elaboration here is that when you engage in physical activities you consequently improve your muscle strength and also improve your endurance. When you exercise, whether through weight lifting, running, etc - you send blood flowing through your body as exercising increases your heart rate. This oxygen is carrying essential nutrients and they are then delivered to the tissues and other organs that need them. This means that at the end of the day you not only have more energy to work on your tasks, but you have more healthy tissues and organs.
What is the Best (and Most Effective) Way to Exercise Your Body
Every morning when you look outside your window or just walk on the streets you find people dressed in running gear and jogging away.
Maybe you do not do it, but you wonder, is it all worth it?
The best and most effective way of exercising your body is carrying out that safe workout that will give you the results that you need. Remember that people have different targets and goals when working out, and this means that what works for you will not necessarily work for me.
Running, however, as we will see, is an all-round activity has been proved to be extremely effective and the ultimate go-to workout activity.
Why Does Running Stand Out as an Exercise?
“These days it seems that gyms are quieter than libraries,” say Dubberly, consultant and fitness expert with the MensJournal.
But what can we derive from this humorous spat?
It's simple; people are exercising more outside (mostly via running) than they are at the gym. People have realized that what they can achieve at the gym, they can achieve by performing those exercises on their own.
Running stands out as a working out activity because it has a range of unique benefits. Here’s a list of some advantages of running;
A Fundamental Flaw in Running (Need to Watch out)
A proper running footstrike is as important as using the correct lane while driving.
If you have probably engaged in running, you have noticed that running while striking your heel on the ground causes you a lot of pain at the end of it all.
An article from Active.com suggests a proper running technique;
“Your heel should still touch the ground briefly. However, it should not carry a large weight load. Most of your weight should be directly above your mid-foot. As soon as your heel makes contact, your arch and lower leg muscles can gather the spring they need to move your body forward”.
As you can see, a proper running technique is one that distributes weight on your foot as opposed to creating too much pressure on the heel which might hurt your bones, or your knee.
- Running takes less equipment to run (you just need your jogger pants and running shoes anyway)
- Running doesn't require any training. Try some complicated glute bridges and it's gonna take you days before you catch the drift. But with running, Running is easy to execute
- Running involves and engages many muscles of the body. It engages muscles like the glutes, hamstrings, and quads. It also works the body core muscles which include the obliques and rectus abdominis.
- You can run anywhere (unlike gym activities that require special equipment)
- Running strengthens your bones
- You can run anytime (You control your time unlike the gym which is not always open and ready)
A Fundamental Flaw in Running (Need to Watch out)
A proper running footstrike is as important as using the correct lane while driving.
If you have probably engaged in running, you have noticed that running while striking your heel on the ground causes you a lot of pain at the end of it all.
An article from Active.com suggests a proper running technique;
“Your heel should still touch the ground briefly. However, it should not carry a large weight load. Most of your weight should be directly above your mid-foot. As soon as your heel makes contact, your arch and lower leg muscles can gather the spring they need to move your body forward”.
As you can see, a proper running technique is one that distributes weight on your foot as opposed to creating too much pressure on the heel which might hurt your bones, or your knee.
The Takeaway
You have probably heard this before, that your health should be the biggest investment in your life. While at it, exercising is critical and a major part of the whole equation as its through exercising that you meet your health goals (and observing your health, of course!).
While most people prefer to go for the typical gym subscription, this is not necessarily the only way out. Running comes in handy too and as we have see it can be equally if not more effective than whatever else you do at the gym. The health benefits of running are monumental, and if you are looking to get your body in shape, whether to keep away that unwanted fat or even strengthen a few muscles in your body, running should definitely be a priority for you.
Unfortunate, Inevitable Culprits
While running or exercising, its not all diamonds and roses.
Injuries are a part of the game and are almost always imminent and the most vulnerable part of the body (which is the most active anyway) is the knee since it takes the most pressure (especially when running).
This is why if you have had regular running sessions, you have encountered runner’s knee. The knee is the with no doubt the most complicated joints of the human body, and knocking out knee pain isn't easy.
But there is a possibility for redemption - a solution within your reach...
Meet Cocoons - the Post-Workout Gear that's Revolutionising How you Run and Work Out Moving Forward
While many post workout gears promise to send away the nagging joint pain without keeping their word, the Cocoon sleeves deliver exactly what they promise without fail.
If you run or engage in those intense workout activities, Cocoons offer you a chance to recover in just minutes from knee or joint pain using their revolutionary temperature therapy technique.
The Cocoon is a must-have accessory and a lifestyle necessity for any active outdoor enthusiast and fitness buff who wants to RECOVER faster from their workouts and PERFORM better in their lives!