Is running bad for you?

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Replies

  • No...think for yourself, if it feels good for your body keep running...always have good form...good shoes...runners world dot com is a great place to go for info on running....now go out and run like the wind bullseye...
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    I have started running and I really like it. It is free. It is out my door. It is fresh air. It is calories burned. It is also mental clarity that I am enjoying.

    My crossfit addicted friend said that I shouldn't run because running is bad for my body. I have heard other people mention this vaguely as well but not had a real understanding of why. I have good running shoes.

    Is running bad for me?

    No. Never listen to Crossfit people.
  • IronSmasher
    IronSmasher Posts: 3,908 Member
    Running/sprints are a regular feature of CrossFit.

    I'd just avoid talking fitness with this friend. I assume they've joined a class and is getting bad information from some passionate individual. You'd have to add 'in excess' for the statement to be true, and that could be said about anything.
  • scottc561
    scottc561 Posts: 329 Member
    For me running is very painful at my weight (back and knee pain) but I hope to get really into it once I get lighter. I mainly just walk fast at an incline now until I can run. But no running is not bad for you, unless you are extremely heavy, in which it can cause stress pain in the legs.
  • CADreaming09
    CADreaming09 Posts: 269 Member
    Joints. Not the best for them.
  • LilRedRooster
    LilRedRooster Posts: 1,421 Member
    It's bad for my wallet, I'll tell ya that. I keep spending money on better running shoes, pants, a Garmin GPS device, a heart rate monitor, and various other toys that make it so much more fun.

    See, back in my day, when I first started running in middle school cross country, all I had was my second-hand watch for company, and a crappy pair of Nike shoes I bought at Target. Then I got a CD player (my Walkman had been smashed by my sister, and CDs were the "new" thing), which meant I could dance while running, but it skipped when I went too fast. I was a sad panda.

    Now I have an MP3 player, GPS tracking, and awesome shoes. Life is so much more awesome when you're running with awesome things. People who don't run have no idea the awesome-sauce they're missing.

    Unless you have specific issues, like knee, back, or bad joints that really can't take impact, then the only thing running will do is make your body work hard. Which could be bad, I suppose. Maybe your friend hates working too hard.
  • arc918
    arc918 Posts: 2,037 Member
    Running is terrible for you! Avoid it all costs, as it will only make you totally awesome...
  • Scorpioangel
    Scorpioangel Posts: 951 Member
    It was REALLY bad for me....It made my body drop 60lbs in extra weight, made my heart and lungs work harder and get stronger, turned my flabby legs into legs with actual visible muscle definition, used up pairs and pairs of expensive running shoes over the years, not to mention all the beautifull places and scenery I RAN past....:sad:

    Oh, and it's bad for the environment too, cause I go through tons of sweaty laundry......:grumble:

    It's addictive, its healthy, its fun - go and enjoy!!

    ^^^ What she said!
    Perfectly....:happy:

    LOVE IT :)
  • DocGu
    DocGu Posts: 51 Member
    I recently heard that too... the person who told me (because I'm a runner) said it has to do with the impact it has on your spine. The only problem I have with running is that it can delay some "women stuff" lol but other than that I think it's good for you :)
    I am a Chiropractor - the impact on the spine stuff is wrong to the point of being backwards. Running will increase joint mobility in the spine, it will strengthen the muscles that support your spine and it will increase the bone density of your spine.

    The delaying women stuff has more to do with extreme diets combined with insane amounts of exercise then running.

    Unless you have preexisting issues, I wouldn't even be all that concerned about your knees.

    I don't see a lot of runners in my office, I do however see a lot of sedentary people.
  • honeysprinkles
    honeysprinkles Posts: 1,757 Member
    If you enjoy it and you're not injuring yourself, ignore them. It's all about finding what works for you! I wish I could run!
  • Sl1ghtly
    Sl1ghtly Posts: 855 Member
    Running is really bad! You should never ever run. It will make it nearly impossible to plea a lesser charge if you get caught.
  • GoldspursX3
    GoldspursX3 Posts: 516 Member
    Joints. Not the best for them.

    I call BS....how about you explain that load of horse hockey you spewed out.

    I guess we should all just sit on the couch and avoid walking also. Wouldn't want to utilize those joints as they are designed and mess them up.
  • clocklady
    clocklady Posts: 111 Member
    Read, Born to Run. I don't know how anyone could read that book and then think running is bad for you. Our bodies are designed for running.

    Personally I love it. Once you figure out that you don't have to go as fast as possible all the time it is quite enjoyable.
  • ChristinaK0429
    ChristinaK0429 Posts: 51 Member
    I've been having knee pain for the past four months. I started running about 3 weeks ago and I'm finding the knee is getting much better day by day. I realize this may not be the case for everyone - if you have an actual knee injury, for example. My knee pain was just the result of being overweight for years and not enough muscle strength around my knees. I have heard that the impact actually helps strengthen bones.
  • ishallnotwant
    ishallnotwant Posts: 1,210 Member
    It was REALLY bad for me....It made my body drop 60lbs in extra weight, made my heart and lungs work harder and get stronger, turned my flabby legs into legs with actual visible muscle definition, used up pairs and pairs of expensive running shoes over the years, not to mention all the beautifull places and scenery I RAN past....:sad:

    Oh, and it's bad for the environment too, cause I go through tons of sweaty laundry......:grumble:

    It's addictive, its healthy, its fun - go and enjoy!!

    Beautifully stated!
  • Sl1ghtly
    Sl1ghtly Posts: 855 Member
    Joints. Not the best for them.

    I call BS....how about you explain that load of horse hockey you spewed out.

    I guess we should all just sit on the couch and avoid walking also. Wouldn't want to utilize those joints as they are designed and mess them up.

    I think what the poster was trying to say is that running can seem to be bad for the joints if diet and recovery is neglected.
  • myofibril
    myofibril Posts: 4,500 Member
    My crossfit addicted friend

    Addicts, especially Xfitters, don't tend to be rational or a good source of information...
  • GoldspursX3
    GoldspursX3 Posts: 516 Member
    Joints. Not the best for them.

    I call BS....how about you explain that load of horse hockey you spewed out.

    I guess we should all just sit on the couch and avoid walking also. Wouldn't want to utilize those joints as they are designed and mess them up.

    I think what the poster was trying to say is that running can seem to be bad for the joints if diet and recovery is neglected.

    Then explain that. Don't just put a blanket statement out there that running is bad for joints when that isn't true. Yes you can over train if you don't give your body a recovery time, but stupid statements like this help no one.
  • renkath
    renkath Posts: 91 Member
    Read, Born to Run.
    I feel a bit like a religious fanatic at times. Yes, loved the book. My knees were in terrible shape and sounded like maracas whenever I walked up stairs. Ditched the trainers and stopped turning my ankles all the time. Got minimalist shoes and ran barefoot on the beach - learned to do squats properly and my knees are better than ever now.

    I remember when my mother was my age - she wouldn't jog because a friend of hers "aged" so much from jogging. Who knows, maybe it takes a toll on my skin - but if I wanted to be a display doll I would just have plastic surgery and die young.

    Running is good for body and spirit. Mindful running changed my life, hallelujah and all that ;)
  • Xabsentimentalx
    Xabsentimentalx Posts: 67 Member
    It was REALLY bad for me....It made my body drop 60lbs in extra weight, made my heart and lungs work harder and get stronger, turned my flabby legs into legs with actual visible muscle definition, used up pairs and pairs of expensive running shoes over the years, not to mention all the beautifull places and scenery I RAN past....:sad:

    Oh, and it's bad for the environment too, cause I go through tons of sweaty laundry......:grumble:

    It's addictive, its healthy, its fun - go and enjoy!!


    ha i loved this!
  • jaymek92
    jaymek92 Posts: 309 Member
    Running is part of the Crossfit WOD pretty often from what I know about it. It sounds like your friend doesn't have a clue.
    this is exactly what i was going to say.
    today's wod involved 400m sprints or 500m rows.
    there is generally at least one wod per week at each box that involves running, be it sprints, resisted sprints, or a 1 mile/5k.
  • IronSmasher
    IronSmasher Posts: 3,908 Member
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Joints. Not the best for them.

    Sorry, a myth that has been busted (unless you are extremely over weight or have a pre-existing condition, but then the problem is still not running is it??)

    Running is, perhaps, one of the purest and most natural forms of exercise known to humankind. As previously pointed out the survival of our species depended on our ability to run down prey.

    My only regret when it comes to running is that I didn't start sooner.
  • stayxtrue
    stayxtrue Posts: 1,186 Member
    it is not bad for you.. However if your running technique is terrible then yes it is bad..

    For me I am seeing a physio and my leg muscles are freaking tight which means running for me at the moment is BAD, we are working on getting my flexibility better, then I will be able to run and have no issues at all... I was running 6kms in around 25 minutes. My physio reckons with improved flexibility I will be seeing the sub 20's... I agree with him on this one as my calves were an issue when running, my fitness was fine, but the calves tightening were causing me to slow down in the last few kms..

    I would suggest seeing a sports physio if you are worried at all... And to be honest it wouldnt hurt to see one as they will be able to show you where you can change things.. I am lucky to have such a great sports physio in my town who is doing everything he can to help me to get back to where I should be.
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