When it comes to burning calories, there are few exercises that can match running. Running is a high-impact, high-calorie-burning, health-boosting activity that just about anyone can enjoy. Because it’s a high-impact activity and can be hard on certain body parts like the knees, and internal organs for women, some people may prefer walking or jogging – the benefits are still plentiful in running and jogging.
If you’re looking to lose some weight and lose it fast, running is a great exercise to choose. It’s estimated that the average person burns about 100 calories for every mile that you run or about 134 calories for every 10 minutes of running. So, if you run three miles, three times a week - that’s around 900 to 1,000 calories burned. If you’re able to run between an eight and 12 minute mile, you’ll only need about half an hour to finish your exercise. Running burns calories and burns them fast.
Running also improves your cardiovascular health, which leads to many benefits for your body. You’ll be able to prevent heart disease, fight off cancers, help prevent diabetes and more. But that’s not the only health benefit to running, because running releases so many endorphins, many people experience what has been called a runner’s high, since endorphins are responsible for elevating your mood. Many runners experience a euphoric type feeling due to the amount of endorphins released. As a result of this running is sometimes used as a treatment for addiction and depression.
On top of those great benefits, running also helps you fight the aging process. Running helps strengthens your bones and helps prevent the loss of bone mass as you get older. You should also note that studies show people who exercise regularly live longer
With the world now aware of how important it is to exercise and running being one of the most accessible exercises available (because you can do it just about anywhere), there are many sports stores ready to sell you exactly what you need to get running on the right path. For instance you’ll probably want to wear something light weight, especially in the summer, which absorbs sweat and shorts that don’t cause a rash in the crotch area. Even more importantly, you’ll want to have the right shoes to run in, since running is hard on the knees and having the right pair of running shoes is key to preventing injury. The best sports or running shops will watch you run on a path and pick out shoes designed for how you step when you run and the shape of your foot.