EXPOSING THE MYTH OF THE LONG JOGGER

Now what is Jumpin Jeff going to say? Let’s debunk an activity that took over America about 25 years ago. First, it was power walking. Then we started emulating runners. Then Runner’s World seemed to enhance it all and finally everyone was talking about getting their run in and how a longer run is the goal. The answer from a health and fitness perspective is a resounding NO!! Crazy, fun fact; when blood is drawn from a marathon runner and examined, it has all of the characteristics of someone in the midst of a heart attack.

OK. I am in no way against jogging or running if you are not injured. It is just science and observation that lead me to tell you to stop trying to go slowly farther and making it your only workout.

Let’s get to the science. Twenty to Thirty minutes of intervals will give you the heart rate of a marathon runner and is much better for your health. Interval training takes less time and energy and has no sacrifice of muscle or tone. The secret is to change speeds, let’s say, every 3 minutes. If you do that, your body keeps burning fat after the event is over for 10 times as long as going the same speed and you will not sacrifice tone to get the job done. Also, you don’t get knee pain and you are doing a good thing for your body.

The best, and I mean best combination is nutrition, cardio and weight training. The three combined will give you the least injury, the best looking body and some more time to do other things in life besides run, run, run.

Example: I am a weight trainer. I do almost no cardio as you would know it. My body has been here for 60 years and is packed with high quality tone. My resting heart rate is 48. Impressive, right. You must be wondering how I do that. I do supersets in the gym. I do two to three lifts in a row, aggressively and without rest, then rest and drink water and repeat it for 45 minutes. I look like a lean and toned athlete, not a thin, knee injured, runner.

In closing, if you choose intervals or mix up your cardio (swim, bike, and run etc.) you will stay uninjured and have a chance for good tone. But the best training strategies in the world involve nutrition, cardio and resistance training. Keep a log of what you do and chart your progress. Look in the mirror and see how you transform like my 1000 clients have. Stay with fitness lifeline.com to see unique tools and techniques for high level training anywhere, anytime. Stay focused and stay with it for the long run, just don’t go on long runs!!

Best wishes for fitness and health,


Jumpin Jeff'