This post is a guest contribution from Jon who is following Somanabolic Muscle Maximizer program. You can follow him at

What is running?

It depends who you ask. Some people would say it’s for exercise. Or a form of sport. Others, a way of getting where you want to be faster. Others still, consider this as something you’d do if you were being chased by a rabies-infected dog.

Constant runners, on the other hand, have a goal in mind. Usually, it’s mainly more of a physical goal; weight loss, exercise, and the likes. However, most runners aren’t fully aware how extremely beneficial running is. Here’s a list:

Lose/Manage weight.

Approximately 60% of the runners run to lose or maintain weight. In fact, running burns more calories per minute compared to any other type of cardiovascular exercise, making it one of the best way to burn fat.

Maintain and improve health:

Running does wonderful things to the body like the ff:
Raises HDL or “good” cholesterol.
Reduces the risk of blood clots.
Encourages the use of 50% of the lungs that often goes unused.
Boosts the immune system by raising higher concentrations of lymphocytes or the white blood cells that fight disease and any other foreign microbes.
Keeps the heart healthy.
Increases metabolism (I’ve always envied people with fast metabolisms; now I can boost mine with just running. Alright!).
Increases sex drive.
Keeps our insides from aging quickly.

Reduce risks of diseases:

Reduces risks of stroke and breast cancer.
Reduces risks of osteoporosis, diabetes, hypertension (and prescribed as treatment as well to patients high at risk of these or at early stages by doctors)
Promotes HGH or the Human Growth Hormone (which not only encourages growth but keeps us looking young as well).

Prevent muscle/bone loss:

God is so wise and loving of man that He created our bones to accommodate to the demands of our activities. We are meant to be active and healthy. However, being a couch potato is not good. All that lounging and sitting weakens the bones… but through running on a regular basis, our skeleton stays healthy. Doing some compound exercises will also reduce muscle atrophy. Maintain a regular muscle building workout routine as described here.

Stress-reliever:

Running can let you get away from it all and give you that much needed quiet time from all the hustle and bustle of this life.

Increases self-esteem and improve mental health:

Just being aware that you are engaged in exercise and knowing that what you’re doing is good for you, running is one sure fire way to help increase self-esteem thus improving psychologically. For some, as they’ve set a goal and managed to accomplish it, self-esteem is raised even more.

Socially healthy:

Some prefer peace and quiet. Others, however, would like it better if accompanied by a friend/s or even in a club which is a great way to be in touch with one’s community. Technically, any physical activity you can stick with is a good one. Running is by far, one of the best exercises to settle in considering the benefits and its sheer simplicity.