Flat Stomach Exercises

If you are interested in adding running to your life, and want to take advantage of this great exercise yet avoid running injuries, these seven tips can help you have a long and injury-free running career, and enjoy the many benefits of running for exercise without some of the unpleasant consequences of running injuries.

If you were going to drive a race car, you would make sure it had good tires before you took off on the track, right? But many people start running in the same old “sneakers” they wear to play Frisbee in the park.

If you want to begin running, or if you are already running for exercise, take the time and spend the money to get good shoes. Go to a running shoe store or a very good sporting goods store in your area and get someone to help you find a pair of shoes that work for you. Wear them only for running. And don’t buy a pair of shoes that doesn’t feel good in the store. They will never feel better.

Change your shoes once they have about 400 miles on them. If you are running for exercise on a regular basis, consider having two pairs of shoes to swap out so each pair of shoes can air out for at least one day between your running sessions.

2. Stretch before you run.

When you begin running for exercise, you may feel a little silly stretching, especially if you are starting off slow with your running. The first time you get a major cramp, you’ll understand the importance of stretching.

3. Run on stable ground.

Avoid loose gravel and “chad” and don’t run on hills. Staying on flat, solid ground will make your running routine much easier. Running for exercise should be fun and safe. Don’t “challenge” yourself with hills and loose rocks and then hurt yourself in the process.

4. Know your limits.

Again, running for exercise is supposed to be fun. Do your best and challenge yourself, but don’t push yourself so hard that you end up off your feet for days or weeks due to a running injury.

5. Slow down when you’re tired.

Running tired causes running injuries. If you’re too tired to run with proper form, you need to slow down and even walk until you’re capable of running with care.  Running when you are too tired to do it correctly is very dangerous and one of the leading causes of running injuries.

6. Do not run hurt.

Running injuries compound each other. If you are injured, stop running. Injuries heal more quickly if they are allowed to heal, and running with an injury does not make your running exercise any more effective; if anything, it makes it less useful.