There are two main reasons why people will run as a form of exercise. They generally run in order to burn fat and improve their cardio. However, running impacts the body in many ways, one area overlooked is the impact it has on muscles.
Running can have either a positive or negative impact on the body depending on how you go about the process. When you run, you will want to use the proper method of running that will enhance your muscles in a positive manner.
You impact all the muscles groups in the body when you run, it does not just affect the legs like most assume. So when you are running to workout, you are developing your body as well. You will burn excess fat, because running is known for shredding fat like few other exercises can. This is why many runners have such a desirable and amazing physique.
It is important to know that if you run too much, you can end up burning your own muscles down as fuel. This means you will decrease your muscle mass. How does this happen? Well, when you run for too long of a duration, your body will shift from primarily burning fat and carbs to burning down muscle.
When this happens, the result can be catastrophic on the physique. Usually the runner can end up with a very thin physique with little to no muscle mass. This is most definitely not the physique people want as their appearance.
Of course, there are ways to avoid burning up muscles when you run. First, cutting back on the duration of your workouts will help. Additionally, training in the aerobics heart rate stage as opposed to the anaerobic stage is advisable. In addition to preventing unnecessary burning of muscle, this is a safer way to train since anaerobic training results in an enormously high heart rate.
Also, it is advisable to increase your protein intake when performing a lot of running. Since muscle is a form of protein, adding protein either from food sources or supplements will aid in ensuring the muscle mass is maintained. Just be sure not to overdo it with protein shakes since they can come with a high calorie count.
It also doesn’t hurt to add some weightlifting to your routine. Weightlifting can help rebuild some of the muscle mass you could have lost during running, and you don’t even need to lift a huge amount to get excellent results!
Cliff Pape is an elite Houston Personal Trainer who can give you quick and fast healthy results. Cliff has been a personal trainer for many years now and he will work with you in your exercise routine and diet in order to get in the best shape of your life. So follow the link to his site where you can get the body you have always desired! Fitness Trainer Houston