Jogging and running are similar exercises that have positive aerobic effects on your body. While both activities are similar, jogging requires a particular technique that differs from the technique required for running.
Running is all about speed and power and has more intensity. Jogging, on the other hand, requires a slower pace. However, jogging does end up using more muscles.
In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about jogging, including how to jog the right way and the multiple benefits of jogging.
What Is Jogging?
Part of learning how to jog the right way is knowing what exactly jogging is.
Jogging has been popular as a training exercise for athletes for centuries. However, today it has become a popular exercise for reasons such as cardio, improving endurance, and weight loss.
Jogging is best described as running at a slower and more leisurely pace. Due to the slow and leisurely pace, jogging is often performed over long distances, typically longer distances than one would run for.
Jogging vs. Running
We can say that running and jogging have been around since our earliest ancestors could move. However, it’s more likely that they were running before they discovered what jogging was.
As mentioned, jogging is a slower pace than running. In fact, running is a more intense version of jogging. The next level up from running would be sprinting.
Aside from the speed, the main difference between jogging and running is that running takes up oxygen faster and will tire you out faster than jogging.
As a result, jogging is more of a leisurely activity than running. However, both activities are excellent aerobic exercises, and there’s room for both in your routine.
Now, let’s check out the specific benefits of jogging.
Benefits of Jogging
There are many benefits of jogging. Some of the top benefits of learning how to jog include the following:
-
- Maintain a healthy weight
-
- Improve your mood
-
- Strengthen muscles
-
- Bridge to running
Let’s take a closer look at these benefits.
Maintain a healthy weight
Jogging burns more calories than walking – often more than triple the calories, depending on the pace of your jog.
As a form of cardio, a jogging routine is a great way to trigger initial weight loss if that’s your goal. This is because it engages several muscles simultaneously and increases your energy needs.
Therefore, depending on the pace or the length of your runs, jogging can help maintain your current weight or even help you lose weight.
Improve your mood
Learning how to jog doesn’t just benefit your body. It can also have positive effects on your mental health.
While the mere thought of exercise puts some in a bad mood, doing it is a great way to improve your mood and avoid depression. Jogging is an excellent exercise for this due to the activity’s slow pace and leisurely nature.
Studies show that even 30 minutes of jogging can decrease the odds of depression and lift someone’s mood. Jogging can also reduce stress and anxiety, and the effects last even after your workout is over. For best results, jog consistently to maximize the impact on your mood.
Strengthen muscles
Once you learn how to jog, chances are that you’ll begin to see more definition in areas of your body.
Jogging is a great way to build and strengthen muscles. Regular and consistent jogging strengthens the leg muscles, as that’s where the most stress is placed during your jogs. Jogging strengthens your glutes, thighs, and calves.
What’s more, jogging also strengthens your abdominal muscles. If you’re new to running or jogging, you may notice that you’re most sore in your abdomen rather than in your legs!
This works because, after each jog, the stress you’ve put on these muscles will trigger your body to build more muscle. As jogging becomes more and more of a habit, your body will continue to trigger this muscle growth.
Bridge to running
If your final goal is to become an avid runner, then learning how to jog may be a stepping stone toward that goal.
Starting with slow jogs is a less intimidating way to get into running. You can steadily increase your pace and intensity until you feel comfortable at a faster rate and, consequently, transition to running.
Now that you know all the benefits of jogging, you’re ready to learn how to jog and reach your goals.
How to Jog Properly
The critical thing to remember as you learn how to jog is that you want to avoid injuring yourself. That’s why it’s essential to start slow and to listen to your body closely, especially at the beginning.
To help you out, here are a few tips on injury prevention during your jogging routine:
-
- Make sure that you have proper jogging or running shoes. Comfortable runners will make your jogs much easier and reduce your risk of injury.
-
- Stretch before your jog to reduce your risk of injury.
-
- If you need to, start walking before jogging, especially if you’ve never jogged before. From there, you can steadily increase your pace.
-
- If you have trouble keeping a steady pace, try interval training. For example, you can jog for 5 minutes and then walk for 2 minutes.
-
- Find a jogging buddy and make a schedule to hold each other accountable and keep each other motivated.
Wrap-Up: Improve Your Jogging
Jogging is a great activity that almost anyone can do and comes with various benefits. From helping with heart health to improving your strength, you want to consider jogging for the health benefits or if you plan on transitioning to running later.
