Jogging is an aerobic exercise that requires nothing more than a good pair of shoes and a place to run. Like other aerobic exercises, jogging offers many health benefits according to the Mayo Clinic, such as increasing the effectiveness of your immune system, improving stamina, reducing fatigue, clearing plaque from your arteries and improving your mood.
Function
Aerobic exercises are physical activities of moderate intensity that you perform for extended periods of time. Jogging is one example. Many other activities fall under the category of aerobic exercise, including bicycle riding, swimming, jumping jacks and any other exercise that requires continual and somewhat intense physical movement. Activities that require short bursts of physical activity, such as weightlifting and short sprints, are not aerobic activities.
Benefits
Jogging offers a variety of physical fitness benefits. Jogging strengthens and tones your legs, making muscles more prominent and defined. If you adhere to a healthy, low-calorie diet, jogging can burn enough calories to lead to weight loss. Jogging also improves your heart's performance. Whenever you perform aerobic exercise, your heart must beat faster to supply energy to the working muscles. Because your heart is a muscle as well, this heightened activity strengthens your heart over time. The result is a more powerful heart that can pump blood more efficiently.
Proper Footwear
A downside of jogging is the continual stress it places on the joints of your lower body. When you run, your feet smack into the ground repeatedly, sending shock waves through your bones and joints. Over time, this can lead to joint problems in your knees and ankles. Wear proper footwear to diminish the chances of developing serious joint conditions. Choose shoes that are comfortably snug without being too tight. If your feet slide around within the shoes, you risk developing blisters. Sole inserts that cushion your feet might improve your jogging experience. Visit a sports equipment store and test out different types of shoes to find a pair that suits you.
Considerations
Jogging outdoors is pleasurable because you get to exercise in the fresh air. But in some areas, cold or inclement weather might dissuade you from going jogging. Buy a treadmill or join a gym to get some aerobic exercise indoors. Typically, treadmills allow you to choose the speed and incline of your workout. This allows you to adjust the intensity to meet your fitness goals. Also, some models include heart-rate monitoring equipment to help you reach a target heart rate.
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