The one stop resource for women's running.

Why Run? The Benefits of Running

It is common knowledge that getting regular exercise is beneficial for your health, and that any exercise is better than doing none at all.
Running, in addition to the obvious health benefits, has many extra advantages compared to other sports and forms of exercises.

Health benefits

• Weight management. An average person burns around 100 calories per mile of running!
• Helps to prevent osteoporosis, a condition that decreases bone mass and density, more commonly found in older women.
• Helps to lower your risk of developing some cancers.
• Encourages a healthy heart, lungs and circulation.
• Helps to prevent heart attacks.
• Helps to lower blood pressure.
• Tones up your leg muscles.
• Boosts the immune system.

Well-being

• Enhances your mood as exercise causes the brain to produce endorphins.
• Helps to raise your self-esteem and increase your confidence.
• Taking part in races gives you a goal to work towards and a feel-good factor of overcoming a challenge.
• De-stresses and aids relaxation.
• Gives you time to think.
• Gives you a sense of empowerment.

Plus...

• It is a cheap form of exercise- all you need is a good pair of running shoes and a sports bra.
• Anyone can do it.
• You can do it anywhere at any time.
• You can make new friends by joining a club.
• It is fun.

Share your own running experiences on our Run Like a Girl forum.
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