Your high school’s cross-country kids are all grown up, and they’re taking over the streets of any major city near you. This time, though, there aren’t any try-outs or time trials to scare you off. Today’s running clubs are anything but exclusive, having recruited the speed walkers, light joggers, and everyone in between for the ride.
If you’re someone who rejects pain-seeking to any degree, the concept of human packs voluntarily congregating to run miles (yes, plural) might seem unfathomable. But, for some, the reward of group running—freedom, structure, and community—outweighs the stings of sore calves and belly cramps, and the benefits aren’t merely anecdotal.
Jim Stoppani, who holds a PhD in exercise and physiology from the University of Connecticut and is the founder of JYM Supplement Science, explains, “running imparts numerous health benefits,” including lower blood pressure to improved bone density. Over time, running can even make everyday tasks, such as cleaning the house, easier. That’s because it’s a form of endurance training, Dr. Stoppani tells The Daily Beast, which “allows muscles to do more work for longer periods of time.”
The post Why Running in Packs Isn’t Just for Wolves Anymore appeared first on The Daily Beast