Jogging - Health Benefits and How to Do it

Performing regular jogging gives better physicalJogging may be performed in a lot of ways
condition and other health benefits. Jogging also gives* Long distance jogging 6-20 km in a moderate speed
physical and mental pleasure.on even roads or paths.
* Short distance jogging 3-6 km in a high speed.
THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF JOGGING* Jogging upwards in a steep terrain 3-4 km, in a
Jogging on a regular basis give a distinct good effectspeed adjusted to the steepness
upon the general health, provided it is not over-done.* Jogging in a hilly terrain with paths going both up an
The effects are:down 4-8 km
* Jogging makes the heart stronger. It increases theIt is advisable to vary the type of jogging from day to
capacity of the blood circulation and of the respiratoryday. Then the jogging gets funnier and you get a
system.variable type of training.
* It speeds up the digestive system and helps you get
rid of digestive trouble.HOW TO PERFORM A JOGGING SESSION
* It counteracts depression.You should move slowly with little efforts the first few
* It increases the capacity to work and lead an activehundred meters to warm up your muscles. Then you
life.gradually increase your muscular work and speed.
* Jogging makes you burn fat and thereby helpsWhen you have done half the route, you can take a
against over-weight.speedy spurt using most of your capacity. If the route
* If you suffer from poor appetite, jogging will improveis long enough, you can take two or three spurts using
your appetite.nearly full capacity. The last hundred meters you
* Jogging will strengthens the muscles of your legs,gradually slow down again.
hips and back. However you will not get very big
muscles from jogging.STRETCHING YOUR BODY BEFORE AND AFTER
* Jogging makes you sleep better.EACH SESSION
It is advisable to stretch out both before and after
THE PLEASURE OF JOGGINGeach jogging session, and not only the muscles in your
Jogging gives you physical and mental joy, providedfeet, but your whole body 2 minutes before and 3-4
you do not exhaust yourself. When jogging is doneminutes after the session. When stretching out do the
correctly, you will actually feel less tired when youfollowing movements:
have finished a tour than before you began. You get* Bend forward and touch your toes.
nice feelings in your muscles during the jogging and* Kneel down on one of your feet, and stretch the
afterwards.other out backwards.
You will feel the wind blowing around your body. You* Bend your body to both sides.
will hear the birds singing, the music of running water in* Stretch out an arm, grab something, and turn your
the streams, or the sound of waves dashing towardsbody round so that your arm is bent backwards.
the seashore. During the jogging you will also get a* Shoot your abdomen foreword, so that your spinal
euphoric mental feeling after some time.column is stretched into a bow.
* Place your hands behind your neck and stretch your
CLOTHES AND SHOESarms backwards. Then twist your body to left and
The type of clothes you were must be suited to theright, also bend to each side.
weather conditions. In warm weather, shorts and aAfter the jogging it is sometimes best to wait for
t-shirt is enough. However, it may be useful to carrysome minutes before you stretch out, so that the
along an extra piece of clothe in a light back-pack ifworst tiredness has gone away first.
you run out on a long route, in case the weather
aggravates. In colder weather you must add moreWHEN AND HOW OFTEN
layers of clothes. In either case, the requirements forIf jogging is the only sport activity done, a jogging
the clothes are:session every second day is ideal. This is enough to
You should use light and soft clothes without anygive all the health benefits and increase your condition
sharp sutures, hard edges or massive folds. Theyand endurance gradually, but without wearing yourself
should sit fairly close to your body, but not so closeout. If you combine jogging by other types of sport
that you feel squeezed, trapped, or so that youractivities, 2 times a week may be enough.
movements are hindered.You should not be too hungry before jogging, but it is
The clothes should give good ventilation for moisturenot advisable to take a jogging session straight after a
and sweat and perspiration through the fabric. Thebig meal. The time of the day does not matter, but
fabric should ideally hold water totally out from theyour jogging should not be the first thing you do in the
outside, but this requirement is difficult to achievemorning.
together with the requirement of good ventilation.
You should use fairly soft shoes, but with a goodHOW TO BEGIN
shape fitting the anatomical shape of your feet. TheIf you are not accustomed to physical activity before
soles should easily bend during the normal movementsyou start jogging, it is advisable to consult a doctor
of your feet, but support well against the ground. Thebefore you start. You may have health issues that is
underside of the sole should give friction against anynot compatible with jogging activities, or that you must
type of grounds, so that you do not slide during jogging.consider when doing your jogging.
The soles should buffer well against each impact fromThe first times, you should only jog on plain ground and
the ground.only for 10 minutes. Then you can increase the time,
distance and speed, and choose steeper and more
JOGGING ROUTES AND SESSIONSdifficult paths.