Running for a healthy body and a liberated mind

Posted on fitness

There are many different reasons, motivations, and aspirations that lead to the conclusion that running is just the right activity for someone and something they want to do regularly. Whether the reasons have to do with losing weight or increasing resistance, running has many other positive aspects that you can't see with the naked eye.

The wonderful thing about running is the benefits for our well-being and they are more important or at least as important as the physical results.

For many of us, running is the real thing”Time for yourself”. And we know how precious these moments are. Time away from work, without spending time with friends and family — yes, we need that time, even though we love having loved ones around us. We also need to be able to switch off and be in harmony with ourselves. That is exactly what happens when running: The body is focused on repeating the movement and our mind can effortlessly overcome problems, set priorities, analyze goals or even daydream, while our imagination benefits from an extra portion of oxygen.

But running can also be a great group activity and if you do it together with friends, in a course or with a team, your motivation will naturally increase. Your team will always support them and encourage you to train. As a result, you will often be surprised how often you can exceed your own expectations. Running in a group will also encourage you to work towards a common goal. The feeling of achieving your goals is much better when you share it with others.

Whether alone or in a group, running will not only help you feel better—with more resistance and a stronger, healthier body—it'll give you a balanced mind. Visit one of our Holmes Place clubs and find the right running group for you.

Here are a few tips for beginners, co-developed by our Holmes Place experts:

1. Start with the WARU technique (walk-run, in German: Gehen-Laufen). It's important not to set your goals too high in the first few days. When it's time to walk instead of running, go at a brisk pace.
2. Motivate yourself with music. Choose your favorite songs and create your own running playlist — it will immediately inspire you.
3. Put on something comfy. Appropriate footwear, such as sports sneakers specifically for running, will support your well-being.
4. Choose the best time of day to run (preferably early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat) and run in a safe environment.
5. Drink plenty before, during and after running, especially on warmer days.
6. Recuperate yourself. Almost everything can be enforced within two days. Recovery is necessary and ensures that you are full of energy and power for the next workout.
7. Track and record your results regularly. This is the best way to see which goals you have already achieved — and keep yourself motivated.

Posted on fitness