Long Distance Running: It’s Time to Quit Your Addiction
You love long distance running, and think it is key to your fat loss!
Is this you? Then you need to continue reading.
If you’re like many other people, you will live and die by long distance running. Unfortunately, this cardio training technique is inhibiting you to achieve the results you deserve.
And the worst part… it may be a huge waste of your time.
I came to this realization while I was a college pitcher, and found myself running long distance or “poles” on a very frequent basis.
Something just didn’t feel right.
Why would I run long distance after pitching? As you may or may not know, pitching a baseball is one of the most explosive movements in all of sports.
So in order to train this incredibly explosive movement, I was ordered to run long distance…
DOES THIS MAKE ANY SENSE?
The answer is no, and I fortunately began to research and discover how truly ineffective long distance running is for sports, and fitness in general.
6 Reasons to Avoid Long Distance Running
Just to be sure, I have nothing against people who enjoy long distance running. Everyone has their own techniques for fitness and I respect that! It’s just very important that you understand the implications of using this cardio technique.
I have said it countless times on this website, I am not a big fan of long distance running for several reasons:
- 1. It takes FOREVER
Some long distance runners spend at least an hour performing the same, repetitive exercise. Working out longer isn’t BETTER. In fact, it can be downright destructive for your muscular gains.
- 2. It doesn’t build lean muscle
There is no muscle building component involved in long distance running. Remember earlier when I said muscle burns fat? Okay, read on.
- 3. It USES muscle for energy, which ultimately decreases muscle mass
According to bodybuilding.com: losing 2.2 lbs of muscle burns 100 fewer calories per day, while gaining 2.2 lbs of muscle burns 100 extra calories per day. I’ll say this one more time… You NEED muscle if you’re trying to lose weight and keep it off permanently.
- 4. It takes forever to see fat loss results
Yes, professional distance runners are as skinny as rail. But this is because they have been performing these ridiculously long runs for large part of their lives, day-in and day-out. Are you willing to throw away at least an hour of your day to achieve their results? Personally, I don’t have time for that and I know you don’t either!
- 5. It can lead to joint damage due to overuse
BOOM, BOOM, BOOM. That’s the sound of your feet hitting the concrete over-and-over. Your knees don’t appreciate it!
- 6. And to be honest, it’s BORING
Sure, after running for about 30 minutes you enter a fitness coma and your mind is in space. But is this enjoyable?
Why You Are Addicted to Long Distance Running
Now this post wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t outline some reasons why long distance running might be an attractive option.
- It can be very relaxing
Ahhh… the fitness coma. Good times.
- It can be performed anywhere
There is no limit to how far you can run!
- It will burn fat
It can provide some fat burning results if you are consistent.
- Can improve mental health
Now that I have stated all the pros and cons of long distance running, you’re probably wondering what you should do instead.
There is a solution, and it is high-intensity cardio.
This means no more boring, long, and tedious distance runs. Instead, you will be performing explosive, efficient, and effective exercises that will rapidly burn fat and keep it off for good.
High-intensity anaerobic training will increase lean muscle mass, and ensure that fat stays off permanently.
If you have never performed any type of high-intensity cardio, I recommend you start out with sprint training.
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