One of the effective ways to achieve weight loss is running. Running requires hardly any equipment. And compared to walking this requires more energy and allows you to burn calories faster and effectively. Effectively doing this exercise can improve your endurance and promote lower body strength. So apart from weight loss, stamina and strength; can this common exercise help up in developing abs?
Abdominal muscles have been the bane of our existence. Vain as it may seem, we incorporate rock-hard, six-pack abs as the proof of fitness. Having great abs is like getting a badge of honor in the world of fitness. Crunches and curl-ups are known to be effective exercises to develop the abdominals. We often see runner and sprinter to fashion taut tummy and defined abs. Is running able to get us drool-worthy abs?
Running is known to workout muscles in the leg area, the buttocks and the core. The core are includes the abdominals. In running, you are able to work out the core, slightly focusing more on the lower abs. This workout and the muscles that are involved in the process give you more stability and improve your balance. A well-worked out core not only give you good balance but also promotes better posture. But running focuses more on lower body strength and fairly little resistance is allocated on the abs. If you are focusing on developing your abs, you would have to do crunches on the side.
Runners and athletes are known to have great physique. Runners not only work on their lower body strength but also the rest of their body in order to perform well and to improve their balance. You would also notice that runner on a marathon have a different form as they run. Hand movements, leg abduction and adduction and even how they seem to tilt forward to tilt their weight. Developing your muscles has to do with your form when you exercise. Tilting their body forward creates a more pull in the gravity and pushes you forward and also creates a tension to the abs. This form adds to the intensity and thus creates more muscle activity to your core and develops your abs. You can mimic this form by running uphill. The right form and the right way of doing your exercises like proper breathing would lead you to better results.
Apart from running in good form, you can now purchase equipment to also help you work out your abs while running. Rocker-bottom fitness shoes or barefoot running shoes are now available. Rocker bottom shoes are known to improve the dynamics of walking and running and relieve unnecessary tension and stress to impacts of running. This also improves the resistance and the muscle activity that is distributed to your legs, buttocks and abs. These equipment makes the most out of your regular running to provide better results.
Running is great for weight loss, cardiovascular fitness, improve endurance and strengthen your lower body. But it does little to give you a whole body work out. So if you would like to get a taut tummy, make sure you incorporate crunches to your regular routine. To improve your upper body, carry a little amount of weights as you run. Doing this not only allows you to workout other part of the body but also double the amount of calories you burn than just plain running. Just make sure to mind you form and keep breathing.
