To some, there is nothing more frustrating than performing those notorious crunches and other abdominal exercises. The tedious task of lying on the floor to tighten up your stomach may eventually help strengthen and define those muscles, but without regular cardiovascular exercise, revealing them can a seemingly impossible feat.
Fortunately, one can get the best of both worlds (fat burning and ab toning) with one of the most fundamental types of exercises in existence: running. There is no question that running for an extended period of time 3-5 times a week burns fat from multiple areas of the body. In addition, it is also a crucial means of toning up stubborn core muscles. Virtually every physical action that a human performs calls for the help of the core muscles (abdominals, obliques, and lower back) to some degree. Running requires the core to stabilize the entire body, maintaining balance as weight shifts between the legs. The result is a continuous engagement of the abs, allowing you to sculpt your midsection during a cardiovascular workout.
Just as running at a faster pace with longer strides improves cardiovascular endurance, it also puts more positive stress on core muscles. While running slowly with minimal leg movement, the body stays as close to standing position as it can get during the exercise. A longer range of motion with each stride, however, significantly takes away from the body’s upright balance. In turn, the abs must work even more diligently in order to keep the body stable.
If you prefer to walk, try to tighten the abdominals for extended periods of time while you do so. This concentrates the demand placed on your abdominals as they collaborate with your legs.
An efficient use of time and effort is something we all can appreciate. As running on a regular basis burns fat, tones the core, reduces risk of heart disease, and promotes general wellness, this primitive form of exercise equates unquestionably to time well spent, producing visible and invisible results all over the mind and body.
Griffin Coombs is an avid promoter of wellness and nutrition around the North Shore of Massachusetts. As a black belt in the fitness-oriented martial art and sport of Tae Kwon Do, Griffin has served as a fitness instructor at the U.S. Tae Kwon Do Center in Beverly, MA, as well as at various Tae Kwon Do summer programs. Griffin is a passionate freelance writer, specializing in the areas of mens’ fitness, martial arts, self-defense, classical singing, music theory, and general music. Please contact Griffin via email or telephone to request an article for your website, online journal, or blog.
Email: griffincoombs@gmail.com
Phone: 978.335.9770
