Jogging Tips for Beginners
These days it is not easy to find the time to exercise. Nonetheless, getting in the habit of a regular exercise routine that you enjoy can help you live a healthier, happier life. Jogging is a great way to get at least part of the exercise your body needs, and most healthy individuals are capable of jogging without the need to buy special exercise equipment.
Although the cardiovascular and respiratory benefits of running can be great, there are a few jogging tips to keep in mind if you plan to take advantage of these benefits. Failure to take the precautions listed below could result in permanent injuries or death. If you have any doubts about your ability to jog in your current state of health, consult your doctor before starting this or any other exercise routine.
One of the most important jogging tips is to keep in mind that running should ideally be an aerobic exercise, meaning that if you want to make the most of your workout, you need to make it last at least half an hour. This typically means jogging at a slower pace than you might initially be tempted to run at. The purpose of your first few runs, if you are a beginner or haven’t run in a while, should be to find a pace that works for you.
Starting off, you should find a pace at which you can jog for about half an hour. Try to keep this pace each time you jog until you have worked your way up to a full hour. Then, if you still want to keep building endurance, begin to increase your pace. Always be careful not to push yourself too hard; doing so can be dangerous, especially if you are jogging alone.
Once you have worked your way up to a point where you are considering increasing your pace, however, you should consider other options first. Anyone who knows great jogging tips can tell you that jogging, though great exercise, is not always great on your knees. Consider jogging a route that takes you up more hills if you are looking for a more intense workout. If there are not a lot of hills in your area, consider using a treadmill that lets you adjust the incline of the surface you are running on.
Ultimately, the way to get the most out of your workout is to simulate hills that taper off occasionally to let you catch your breath. Your heart has to work harder to increase the rate at which it pumps than it has to work to maintain a steady but quick rate. However, running downhill is actually worse for your knees than running on a flat surface, so try to run uphill for as long as you can, and then level off to catch your breath.
Other great jogging tips apply to other types of exercise as well. For example, it is important to be hydrated when you jog, but you should not have a stomach full of water. Wait at least thirty minutes after drinking any fluids or eating to start jogging. Also be careful jogging in extreme heat or cold. If it is hot, drink extra water and stop to rest if you feel faint. If it is cold, make sure your extremities are protected and try to breathe through your nose as much as possible to warm your breath before it reaches your lungs. Jogging can be a great form of exercise, but you should always do it safely.