Fitness Choice

Whether you take your first tentative steps in running in order to lose a bit of weight, or to achieve a marathon, there are numerous benefits of running, both for your body and soul. Here are some of the reasons you should take up this sport.

Firstly, running is an activity than can be done anywhere! There is no need for fancy equipment or pricey gym memberships – you can literally run from your front door. This of course is a double whammy, as running could save you money – if you already have a gym membership, perhaps taking up running instead could save you the monthly fee.

There is scientific research that suggests that active people are less likely to develop some types of cancer, and women who take up running reduce their likelihood of developing breast cancer by up to 30%.

Alongside the obvious calorie burning effect of running, if you do not wish to lose weight, running gives the opportunity to eat more! Because your body will be burning energy as fuel, in order to maintain your weight, you may be able to get away with eating a little more than previously.

HIIT, or High Intensity Interval Training, is a method of exercising where you alternate between periods of hard, intense anaerobic exercise, and slower recovery periods for a shorter, more efficient workout. The high intensity sections should be done at almost maximum effort, and the recovery should be around 50% effort.

The benefits or HIIT training include:

· Getting you much fitter in a much shorter time period.

· Boost to the metabolism, including maintaining an elevated rate for a longer time after exercising.

HIIT training can be performed by anyone, as you can work out to your own maximum level. As your fitness increases (rapidly with regular training!), your own maximum may increase. It is not a form of exercise to be taken lightly, however, and total beginners, or those with a low level of fitness are probably best to build up a base level before embarking on a more intense routine.

People are busy, and it’s not always possible to visit the gym for several hours a day. If you only have an hour to spare then make sure you’re working yourself to the max. For weight loss, it’s recommended that you spend time on the treadmill, the cross trainer and the bicycle machines.

It can be wise to set a target of calories that you will want to burn during an hour, and then you should aim to build on this over several weeks. If you manage to burn 400 calories before or after work, you’ll certainly begin to see a drop in weight, as long as the food you’re eating is healthy.

If you’re looking to build muscle, then an hour long session can really take its toll on your body, so try to work different areas. Working your biceps only for an hour can leave you feeling destroyed, but by spending 5-10 minutes each on your back, legs, torso, chest and shoulders, you’re able to get a full body workout, feeling less sore the next day.