You won’t find many arguments against the benefits of jogging and running. Participating regularly in physical exercise like a jogging program will improve your cardiovascular fitness so your lungs and heart will be healthier, and can help you to burn body fat and lose weight. There’s also plenty of evidence to suggest that being a jogger is good for your mental health as well. Anyone who has ever experienced the feeling of a clear mind at the end of their morning run will agree!
To experience these benefits it’s important to run regularly. But unfortunately, all too many people lace up their new kicks with good intentions, only to find their running shoes gathering dust in the back of the closet after a few weeks or months. One solution to this problem is adding variety to your routine. Here are three ways to go about it.
While trotting around the same old loop in your neighborhood or running on the treadmill will help keep you fit, it’s easy to fall into a rut and let your motivation drain away. One great way to shake things up is to enter a race!
You don’t have to be a speed demon to enjoy racing. You may be surprised how many people you’ll meet at a race who aren’t concerned with their time but do it for the camaraderie, the fun of running somewhere different, and the satisfaction of achieving a goal. Here are a few tips for getting started.
One fundamental rule of sports is that if you do one thing, you’ll get good at it. But that’s not necessarily a good thing when you're jogging. When you run at the same fast or slow pace and the same effort level all the time, your development as a runner will be stunted (and you’ll get bored!) So, it’s smart to mix in some different types of workouts into your running routine. Two of the best are hills and speed workouts.
Hill workouts
Running up hills builds strength in your legs and glutes. Not only does that make you a stronger runner, but it will also help prevent injuries. Try these three hill workouts once a week and you’ll find your regular runs feel easier. For each workout, be sure to warm up by running 5-10 minutes at an easy jogging pace before you start the hills.
Speed workouts
If you want to be a faster runner, you need to do speed workouts. If you don’t care about being faster, you should still do speed workouts, since they’ll make your stride more efficient and improve your endurance. You’ll run further with less effort — sounds like a winning combination! Try these speed workouts and you’ll notice a difference in your running. But don’t overdo it. Once a week is plenty.
Man does not live by bread alone, and if all you do is jog, you’ll risk becoming as stale as a day-old loaf. Participating in other sports and another form of exercise will keep things fresh and allow your body to recover from your regular jogging routine. You’ll stay sharp and avoid injury, and you may be surprised at how these sports help with your running too!
Bottom line, jogging is a great exercise for the body and mind, but it’s only effective if you’re doing it. By mixing up your routine, keeping it fresh, and trying new things, you’ll be much more likely to stick with it. These three ways of mixing up your jogging routine should keep you running strong for years to come.