When people hear the word “jogging” they automatically think of a person on a treadmill or a bike chasing down the next speed bump. This, unfortunately, is not the case. Jogging is a popular form of exercise but there are so many other options out there. The original meaning of jogging means walking and while that definition has not changed, modern jogging has taken on a whole new meaning. Today it is looked upon as more of an athletic activity than a leisure activity.
Does running equal jogging? The answer to that question depends on who you ask. Many will say that there is no way that one can be both while others will look at a distance runner and see a man running with the same amount of dedication and enthusiasm as they see a professional marathon runner.
The thing that does stand clear though is that there is a place for running in anyone’s exercise routine. It can be done outdoors or indoors but what does stand clear is that there is no escaping the fact that it is a strenuous activity. You have to physically move your body. This is something that is inherent in running but you also have to mentally prepare yourself to do it. You need to mentally prepare yourself to be able to push yourself past the limits of your own ability when you are running.
Some would argue that this is just a way for someone to burn calories without really doing any physical work at all. This could very well be true. However, this is not the case at all. Running causes an increase in your metabolism and while this does raise your overall metabolism, it also increases the efficiency with which you utilize oxygen. This leads to increased energy levels, which are ideal when you are jogging and something that you want to take full advantage of.
If you are looking for a sport in which you can put your body to the test and where you get a full workout from then jogging is a great sport to consider. The most obvious benefit that you will experience is that you will get an aerobic workout that causes you to sweat. Sweat is known to improve your cardiovascular health as well as helping to speed up the recovery process that occurs after an intense workout. Another benefit is the increase in potassium that is produced by your sweat. Potassium is known to have diuretic effects on the kidneys and increases your urine output. So, while at the same time you are increasing your energy levels and losing weight by jogging you are also improving the functioning of your kidneys and improving your overall kidney function.
You may be thinking that all this sounds good but are these benefits enough to make you want to start jogging? Before you run, you should first think about whether you are actually going to enjoy it and whether or not you would be able to push yourself enough to keep up with the demands of a rigorous jogging routine. Many people will only take up running because they have been told that it is a sport and they will just have to try it. The sad truth is that you can only do so much when it comes to physical activity and if you are not prepared to put in the work that it takes, it is not really a sport. On the other hand, if you are willing to invest the time necessary to get into shape and learn the basics, running can be a wonderful pastime and one that you will enjoy for many years to come.
