We suggest that you consider the advantages of each option in order, conduct a comparative analysis and draw conclusions, and we really hope that we will help you make the right choice.
In our comparative analysis, we relied on such criteria as health benefits, energy expenditure, which primarily determines weight loss, potential injury risk and anti aging, difficulty of training and its availability.
Running is effective, accessible, but?..
We have written about running more than once and we are sure we will write about it more than once. Today it is one of the most popular types of physical activity, and for good reason – it has many advantages. The main one among them is accessibility. In order to run, you do not need to pay money to go to the gym – you will only have to spend money on sports shoes, but they will also come in handy for everyday wear. You can run almost anywhere – on a sports ground or a school stadium, in a park or square, or just on the street.
In the context of losing weight, running wins over swimming, as more calories are often burned during runs. However, this is only on condition that you are not lazy and use various methods. Since running is one of the most natural types of physical activity for the body, our body quickly adapts. For this purpose, you need to use Mankuda yoga mat.
Over time, you yourself notice that you are becoming more resilient, your heart stops jumping out of your chest, and your breathing becomes more even. From the point of view of physical training, this is great, but from the point of view of losing weight, this means that the body has become accustomed to the load and has learned to save energy, which means that extra pounds will not go away so quickly.
Such "stagnation" can be avoided by alternating different types of running - sprint, interval, etc. However, in this case there is a risk of stress for the nervous system - such runs, unlike pleasant jogging, should not be done every day. If you have any problems with the cardiovascular system, fast running should not be practiced at all - at least without permission from a doctor.
Another nuance associated with running is the impact load on the joints. Even if you have perfect technique and bought the best sneakers, sprinting will sooner or later affect your knees. In addition, running is absolutely not recommended for people with a lot of excess weight and/or flat feet - there is a risk of getting problems not only with the joints, but also with the spine.
Multifaceted and versatile fitness
Fitness is a complex and comprehensive concept. It includes almost all types of physical activity aimed at improving the health of the human body, strengthening muscles and getting rid of extra pounds. But today we will consider fitness in the sense that is familiar to most people - as a system of physical exercises that does not come into contact with other types of sports.
We will never tire of listing the benefits of fitness:
The ability to vary the training program down to the smallest nuances, adjusting it to your level of physical fitness, health, sports experience, etc.
Strengthening the core muscles responsible for the functional capabilities of the body.
Improving your appearance not only by losing excess weight, but also by building muscle in the desired areas.
As for losing weight, fitness can be no less effective than running – especially if you practice circuit and interval training, the superset method, etc. But in order to master such techniques, you need to have iron health and some training experience.
This is exactly what scares off many beginners - the need to master the technique of many exercises, study the theory. Even if you are ready to spend money on the services of a professional trainer, you will still need to be aware of what you are doing with your body, and for this you will have to master a certain amount of information. Not to mention that if you still have health problems, then some tempting aspects of fitness will remain closed to you.
Let's swim!
Swimming is a different story. Many skeptics argue that since water itself helps a person stay afloat, it makes the swimmer's "lot" easier and thus prevents him from burning many calories. This is partly true - when choosing running or swimming for weight loss, you need to remember that jogging actually burns more energy.
But this feature also has an undeniable advantage - while the body is in the water, the lion's share of the load is removed from the joints and spine, so for people with diseases of the musculoskeletal system or recovering from injuries, swimming is an ideal choice.
Water training is also suitable for people who are very overweight – it has a much softer effect not only on the joints, but also on the heart. Another pleasant moment is that the water in most pools and reservoirs is quite cool, and the body will have to spend some energy to maintain a comfortable body temperature.
Of course, you will have to work hard to learn the technique here too – especially if you don’t know how to swim or don’t do it very well. But the skills you gain will be useful, and the learning process itself will certainly bring you great pleasure.
So what is more effective – running, swimming or fitness?
From a health point of view, swimming is the best choice. The gentle effect on the heart, joints, spine and nervous system is suitable even for the elderly, as well as for those who are very overweight.
If you are interested not only in losing weight, but also in the constant development of your physical qualities, opening up new horizons and conquering new peaks, fitness is the right place for you. It is also recommended for those who are not just getting rid of excess fat, but want to significantly change the quality of their body by building up their muscles.
Running is the choice of those who do not complain about their health and want to achieve results quickly and without much expense. In addition, running is the best way to train endurance.
Final Words
Have you made your choice yet? If not, let us remind you: the first criterion to rely on is your preferences. Training should be enjoyable – only then will you work out really hard. And calories… Energy balance can always be adjusted by nutrition – without a properly constructed diet, no physical activity will bring the desired result anyway.
