I was asked my thoughts on jogging for weight loss earlier, and during my short trip home passed several people pounding the streets looking to get some exercise. So guess it to be a pretty appropriate topic for discussion.
I am also asked about diet and calorie intake regularly by those obsessed with counting each and every morsel of food they consume. There is however little mention of calorie output. If there is an optimal input mechanism for calories to achieve health then what about an optimal output mechanism?
For every calorie burnt during that slow 60-minute run will not come close to those used over a sprint session. Combine this with an increase in the amount of energy burned in the 24 hour recovery period after sprints (EPOC). I believe that if lean muscle growth and fat loss are goals then sprinting *may* be the tool and answer that nobody is currently using. 🔑
OUR BODIES ARE DESIGNED TO SPRINT NOT JOG!
Why do humans have large gluteus and quadriceps if we were simply built to plod monotonously along for hours on end or pound our legs with muscle eating eccentrics from jogging? And why would we have an Achilles’ tendon if we were meant to be running on our heels? It makes no sense. 🤷🏽♂️
Before I get abused by the local running club members and have isotonic energy gel poured through my letterbox, I’m not saying that elite distance athletes are not impressive, I’m just saying in my opinion, they are not impressive in terms of physique.
Anybody that can run sub 5 minutes mile pace for 26 miles over the course of a marathon is an impressive inability, no doubt. But let’s face it such individuals are unlikely to be interested in fat loss goals either.
This article isn’t aimed at the Elite distance runner but more for everyday folk plodding the streets daily hoping to achieve optimal body fat and better health.
🚨Don’t grab the Linford Christie inspired Lycra and travel to the nearest park to sprint just yet either, there are a few things that you will need to consider first …
Mobility and a structured dynamic warm-up are hugely important prior to sprinting in order to help reduce the risk of injury, improve range of motion and overall performance. Therefore a large percentage of time should be focused on getting this right first.
Then try this simple sprint session twice per week –
6-10 repeats of 30 metres 100% effort sprints with walk back recovery
(Make sure you maintain sprint quality with enough rest in-between )
Agree? Disagree? I’d love to hear your thoughts…