Health Benefits

Running is one of the most natural forms of exercising to mankind besides walking. It offers great health benefits, but people who want to engage in this activity should already have a basic fitness level. Walking or Nordic Walking might be a first step to get into running. Unlike swimming, walking or cycling it is not a low impact exercise and people with existing orthopaedic problems should consult a specialist before starting to run regularly.

The health benefits of running include:

• Significant weight loss (approx. 1 Kcal/kg body weight per km)
• Reducing the risk of or manage type 2 diabetes
• Lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol)
• Raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol)
• Lower blood pressure and therefore a reduced risk of cardio-vascular disease (long-distance runners have a nearly 50% reduction in high blood pressure and a 50% reduction in the use of medications to lower blood pressure and plasma cholesterol levels).