Running: Getting Your Body Into Shape or Destroying It?

Running is a high impact form of exercise. Simply put, a runner lifts himself off the ground with alternating movements of his legs and propels himself forward. Each stride brings the runner's entire body weight into the air and back down to the ground. If a person weighs more than 180 pounds, then running is far from the best form exercise. In fact, it can be unhealthy and even dangerous.

There are many injuries associated with running. Ailments of the feet and joints are very common for people running long distances. People who weigh more are more prone to these injuries because there is more stress on the joints and bones. In the New York Times, exercise researcher Niels H. Secher explained that the best distance runners are smaller individuals, saying, "if you have large legs you have to move a big load. The smaller you are, the better." The ideal male distance runner is a small man, standing around 5'7'' and weighing less than 150 pounds. If you stand 6'4'' and weigh 250 pounds, the damage that will be done to your knees and bones will not be worth the fat you may burn by running.

Getting into shape and losing weight is not easy, but it should not hurt terribly. For larger people looking to slim down and shape up, running should be stricken from their repertoire. Other activities and sports, like swimming and cycling, offer excellent cardiovascular workouts without the punishing shocks to your joints associated with running. Elliptical machines are also better options that hitting the treadmill or the pavement.

When a person decides they need to incorporate exercise into their life, running is often the first thing that comes to mind. To swim you need a pool or body of water; to go cycling you need a bike. Things that cost money, and not pocket change, either. Running can be done alone, at any time of the day, along almost any road or on any trail. The only equipment you need is a good pair of running shoes (but the newer, minimalist kinds because old school running shoes are being found not to benefit anyone).

For people who are small in stature and carry less weight, running may be the right choice. If you are a bit bigger, you should put on your sturdy shoes, go to the road or the trail, and take a long walk. You will burn a lot of calories and your knees will thank you for not running.

Mark Baldwin is a freelance writer and blogger with a penchant for physical fitness. He has been a contributing writer for many websites including cellean.org.

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