Hello, fitness friends! Everybody understands that revealing surprising benefits of endurance training develops stamina, whether it’s by going for those long runs, or climbing up challenging hills on a bike, right? But there are some very interesting benefits of endurance training that I believe are undervalued, so let’s dive a little deeper! Endurance athletes come in all shapes and sizes, from seasoned marathoners and cyclocross racers to those who simply jog for enjoyment. Everybody can maximize the value of endurance training forms, and there are benefits to be unlocked that you don’t even think about. So grab your favorite beverage, get comfortable, and let’s unlock some of the hidden benefits of getting those miles in!
1. Mental Clarity – Clerical Function at Its Best
Imagine this, you are running, the sun is shining, and after a while you get to a point where it feels like you dump all the stress out of your mind. That happens for a reason! The basis of endurance training, and the primary physiological response to training over sustained durations which is the release of endorphins. These lovely little chemicals can enhance your mood, and bring clarity.
Countless times I have returned from long runs with the feeling that I have solved all of the world’s problems. Seriously! Endurance activities can give you the opportunity to ‘reset’ your mind, whether it was stress related to work or situations in your life.
2. Improved Heart Health
Now let’s discuss the core of the body – the heart! Long endurance activities can really develop the efficiency of your heart. Endurance training on a regular basis can help you utilize your heart more efficiently. Because of this, your heart does not need to work as hard during regular activities. With this reduced workload comes a lower blood pressure and lower chance of heart disease. Think of it as your heart is going to be sore just like your legs!
3. Improved Recovery Time
The first thing that pops in your head about endurance training is about ‘going long.’ But did you know endurance training can also help impact your recovery time following a tough workout or races? Endurance training develops your aerobic system that effects how quickly you recover. I remember after a long hard workout, I use to feel like I needed days to recover from before I felt normal again. All the days of ice baths or a long wait are now over!
4. Social Connections: The Community Spirit
If you thought endurance training was a solitary pursuit, think again! Becoming a part of a running club, cycling group, or triathlon team creates a community of like-minded individuals with whom you can interact. These connections are strongly motivating, which can encourage you to get out and run, even when you would rather curl up on the couch and binge-watch a show on Netflix. Some of my best friends today are people I met on early Saturday morning runs.
5. Improved Sleep
Are you one of the people who experience tossing and turning at night? Endurance training could help you! Studies have shown a positive correlation between regular exercise and deeper, more restorative sleep. Ni have found that after a day of training, if my head is even able to hit the pillow, I am asleep before I even finish reading the bedtime story. This gal will not need to be counting sheep anymore!
6. Fast Fat Loss and Weight Management
Endurance training is more than just burning calories during your training sessions. It can speed up your metabolism during the rest of your day! Think of it as turbo-charging your body. This means your body burns calories better for the entire day, not just during the hours you are putting in the miles and doing endurance work. Since doing more endurance workouts, I can enjoy a little more sugar and snacks because I’m generally getting away with it. It feels good too!
7. Embracing Discomfort: Mental Toughness
Endurance training gets you used to being uncomfortable. For those long distance runs, where your legs feel like jello and it feels like your lungs are going to explode? In the end, that discomfort builds mental toughness! Going through challenges when you are running, translates to life challenges. Whether it’s part of your job, or handling relationship stress, it’s all about learning you can tolerate a little more than what you thought you could!
In Closing
Well, there you have it, folks! Revealing surprising benefits of endurance training provides much more than endurance training; there’s clarity of thought, improved health (especially of the heart), recovery, friendship, sleep, metabolic rate boosts, and resilience. The next time you put on your shoes or jump on the bike, remember that you are not just “crushing miles” you’re accumulating all of this goodness too!
Now go and enjoy some amazing endurance sessions and soak in the good feelings!
Read more articles with Cardio and Endurance :- High-Performance Cardio Drills
