Regular Running Vs. Regular Gym : Effects and Which to Prefer

Both activities have different effect. While it is really good to get into fitness we should always be cautious before starting anything .Exercise benefits us for sure but at the same time it might aggravate any existing medical condition as well . Especially if the concerned person has had a sedantry lifestyle .

I always suggest going through a simple self assessment for anyone who plans to get into physical activities . It is a simple questionnaire which many research organisations recommend which is known as “par q and you “

SELF ASSESSMENT :-

1. Has your doctor ever said that you have a heart condition and that you should only do
physical activity recommended by a doctor?

2. Do you Feel pain in your chest when you do physical activity?

3. ln the past month. have you had chest pain when you were not doing physical activity?

4. Do you lose your balance because of dizziness or do you ever lose consciousness?

5. Do you have a bone or joint problem that could be made worse by a change in your
physical activity?

6. Is your doctor currently prescribing drugs (for example. water pills) for your blood
pressure or heart concition?

7. Do you know of any other reason why you should not do physical activity?

Just go through these 7 questions quickly and if you answer yes to one or more questions then you should consult your physician before getting into any fitness programme .

In case you answer no to all then you can start getting into a fitness regime . Always start slowly and build on it gradually .

Now to answer your question about whether to start gym or running , I would say both will be a good idea . Basically with gym you will develop muscular strength and muscular endurance and with running you improve your cardiovascular endurance . Having said that I hope you understand both are really important . You should also include flexibility in your programme .

So you can plan certain activities on certain days , some days you can go for gym( weights ) and some days you can plan for running .

Besides this a well balanced diet,staying well hydrated and getting quality sleep will work wonders for the body .