Health Benefits of Running and Jogging: What Are the Pros and Cons?

More information on running

Is running good for your health? Is it a good sport for everyone? Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced runner, here’s a list of the health benefits and problematics you may encounter while running.

Why should we go running? What are the advantages and health benefits of running?

We all have a good reason for going running, whether for physical or mental well-being. But the best way to motivate yourself is to know the real benefits of regular jogging. Here are 10 good reasons to go running!

1 / Running is good for your overall health and boosts your immune system!

Generally speaking, there’s no longer any need to prove that sports like jogging are good for your health. It’s always a good idea to remember that a sedentary lifestyle, combined with poor dietary habits, is at the root of the main health problems facing modern societies, with cardiovascular disease in the forefront.

In fact, to some extent, sport should be funded by the social security system, as no drug today can match the benefit/risk ratio provided by physical activity for the vast majority of health problems (depression, sleep disorders, cardiovascular disease, stress, etc.).

2 / Running helps you slim down!

Running is undoubtedly one of the sports that burns the most calories. Running not only helps you burn fat, it also helps you refine your figure by harmoniously building muscle, but we’ll come back to this a little further down.

3 / Running equals weight loss!

Some people will tell you that “running doesn’t make you lose weight”, and they may be partly right in certain cases, which we’ll explain below, but in the long term we can confirm that running does make you lose weight.

Obviously, weight loss is not essentially a question of calorie expenditure, but also of intake. With a balanced and varied diet that meets your needs without exceeding them, you will inevitably lose kilos if you are overweight and start jogging.

However, it’s perfectly logical for some people to put on a little weight as part of the natural transition from muscle gain to fat loss. The best way to tell if you’re losing fat is to use a tape measure to measure the circumference of your thigh and abdominal waist. You’ll then see that you may have gained a few grams, but that your body is becoming slimmer and more harmonious.

4 / Running is all about getting your breath back, boosting your cardiovascular capacity and endurance!

You’ll gradually see the effects on your breath in everyday life, when you’re climbing stairs or simply playing with your children.

The power of good oxygenation is limitless. It plays a vital role not only in the proper functioning of your body as a whole, but also in areas you may not be aware of. Did you know, for example, that fat burning is facilitated by good oxygenation?

Take the example of a candle placed under a glass, which will gradually burn out as soon as it runs out of oxygen. Burning fat is totally comparable to burning candle wax, albeit more complex.

Fat, unlike sugars, needs oxygen to burn. That’s why fat combustion is not the same for a beginner athlete who’s completely out of breath as for an experienced athlete. On the one hand, the latter has more developed aerobic capacities, which means better oxygenation during exercise, and on the other, his or her muscle mass needs to consume more fat to provide energy.

So you see, by example, the virtuous circle of sport in the medium and long term. That’s why, if you start jogging again, go at your own pace without getting out of breath, and don’t hesitate to alternate between walking and running. Your body will do the rest, and you’ll gradually feel your breath improve over time. Don’t forget that if you want to start running, you need to take your time, take it easy on your bike and train regularly (ideally 3 times a week).

5 / Run to calm your mind, reset your mood and relieve stress!

It’s been widely proven that sport, along with sunlight, is nature’s number one antidepressant. As the saying goes, “a healthy mind in a healthy body”, and if you want to impress poeple you can say it in Latin “mens sana in corpore sano”.

Running, and physical activity in general, plays a positive role in the secretion of mood-enhancing hormones. For those who already take part in physical activity on a regular basis, you will have surely noticed that after exercising you can feel a certain euphoria.

Another positive effect of running on the mind is its ability to restore confidence, boost positivity and generate the possibility of releasing tension and frustrations, and generally combat stress and anxiety.

Last but not least, running outdoors is a great way to fill up on visible light (the kind that sets the rhythm of our biological rhythms through day/night alternation and sleep/wake cycles), putting your brain into a dynamic “on” period. It’s also a good way to fill up on light invisible to the eye (UV Ultra Violet) which, along with food, plays an essential role in obtaining the vitamin D essential for bones and muscles.

6 / Running is free!

Of course, you’ll need to buy the right shoes (don’t neglect this purchase!) and a few breathable outfits that you’ll choose according to the season and the weather, but unlike other sports, running is totally free and you can practice this sport wherever you are and whenever you like.

7 / Running gives you a healthy glow and therefore beautiful skin!

When you run in the open air, even in winter, you expose yourself to the benefits of the sun’s rays, and your skin reaps the benefits.
Another action that many of you may be unaware of is the role of perspiration! This mechanism is more effective than the best peel, because it cleanses your pores and eliminates the toxins that weigh on your skin. In short, your skin will be regenerated and smoother.

8 / Running means meeting new people!

Have you ever noticed something fascinating? If you go for a walk, people rarely say hello to each other. Let’s take a look at joggers, some of whom are aliens, but you’ll see that they’re often courteous to each other, saying hello to each other as they cross paths again and again.

In our rather individualistic society, jogging is also a social activity, whether practiced alone or with others.

9 / Running is about setting goals!

If you’re putting back on the sneakers you last wore over 2 years ago, your first objective should be simple: don’t force yourself, take it easy so you don’t break down stupidly right from the start. “He who wishes to go far, spares his mount!

After a few weeks’ training, you can already set yourself distance and time targets, and after a few months, you may find yourself wanting to enjoy a race with friends, as there are so many of them. And who knows, maybe you’ll even set your sights on a marathon one day!

10 / Running tones the body, strengthens bones and keeps you young!

This is our last, but undoubtedly most motivating, reason for running: to stay young (admittedly impossible), so we’d say to age less quickly or delay ageing. The action of sport delays the ageing process, particularly where the muscular and bony parts of the body are concerned.

Trail running: what are the drawbacks?

Running is a dynamic sport with numerous health benefits. However, if you’re overweight or have lower limb problems, it’s best to seek medical advice. Indeed, running can easily expose you to the risk of injury and problems with your back, tendons or joints.

Information and advice on training for a run!

Running, also known as jogging or jogging, is a physical activity that allows you to run a given distance, with or without a performance objective. Generally practised outdoors, it is becoming increasingly popular, with some 9 million runners according to the French Athletics Federation.

What’s the age limit for running?

Running is accessible to all, and there’s no age limit if you have no physical or health problems. However, it is advisable to have regular check-ups with your GP after the age of 40.

What is a good training plan for beginners?

To get the most out of this activity, beginners are advised to progress at their own pace. The most important thing is to do yourself good, so there’s no need to compare yourself with others.

Start with 1 or 2 training sessions per week, lasting between 20 and 40 minutes. This training plan will consist of a succession of walking and running (for example: 2 minutes running 1 minute walking over 20 minutes). Allow your breath to stabilize before pushing a little harder.