The growth in women’s running has nearly exploded in the past twenty years—the number of female marathon finishers went from 908,000 in 1989 to more than 5 million in 2009! And though you don’t have to run full marathons to reap the benefits of running, there is no doubt that these women have the right idea.
Running is not only convenient and inexpensive, but researchers also consistently rank it as one of the best exercises for overall health. So if running is not part of your exercise routine, here are five solid reasons to throw a morning jog into your workout regimen:
1. Save Money: It doesn’t require pricey equipment or a monthly membership. Running is inexpensive with a high return—great health! The only things you need to invest in are a pair of shoes and a good attitude.
2. Burn More: According to the Medical College of Wisconsin and the VA Medical Center, participants on the treadmill torched more calories than those on the stair-stepper, rower, cross-country ski machine, and stationary bike. So if you’re looking to shed pounds, running is the fastest and most efficient way to do it.
3. Build Strong Bones: Turns out that running may be as beneficial for your bone health as a glass of milk. Running works in several ways to prevent your risk of osteoporosis and other bone problems:
- Reinforces your cartilage by increasing oxygen flow and rinsing out toxins. • Strengthens the ligaments around your joints, protecting them from potential injuries.
- Preserves muscle tissue and enhances bone density.
- Decreases the risk of obesity, therefore decreasing your risk of knee osteoarthritis more than five times.
4. Experience the Runner’s High: Running increases the levels of endorphins in the brain, leading to that feel good rush we get when we push it to our limit. And according to MayoClinic, exercise also can improve your sleep, which is often disrupted by stress, depression and anxiety.
5. Prevent Vision Loss: Two studies from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have found that running reduced the risk of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.
Source: Women’s Health Magazine