I will be the first to admit that I have quite a few pounds to shed, especially after a year and a half that is best put behind me. It started with lockdowns; then I did too much too soon when I could get out, ending up with a tendon injury. That has had me thinking about how effective trail running will be at burning fat, so I set about finding out.
Trail running does burn fat in two ways. Most trail runs will last longer than 90 minutes, the limit of stored glycogen reserves leaving you with fat as available fuel. The technical terrain of a trail run makes you slow down to where your heart rate is optimal for fat burning as a fuel source.
Let’s analyse exactly how trail running burns fat in greater detail.
Does Trail Running Burn Fat?
Since trail running is a sport and an activity that combines hiking and running on trails and unpaved grounds, it is the form of running that has many significant benefits to the health.
One of these benefits is the effective burning of fats, especially visceral fats that are stored in your abdomen. These fats can also be found around the organs located in your abdominal cavity.
If you are wondering if trail running does burn fat, the answer is a big yes. Basically, the usual running on flat surface roads is enough to burn fats in your body. However, since trail running is twice as harder and more challenging to do, it requires more energy and effort and therefore burns more fats effectively in the long run.
What Is Trail Running?
Related to or sometimes involving fell running or mountain running, trail running is basically the form of running where the runner runs on trails and unpaved surfaces. It is different from the flat surface road running.
It is said that trail running is more fun, more challenging, and more exciting to do than flat surface road running. This is because runners are able to immerse more in the beauty of nature through trail running.
Health Benefits Of Trail Running
Trail running can help you maintain and sustain a healthy and strong body, especially if you do it on a regular basis. Here are some of the health benefits of trail running:
1) It helps you burn more fats
Trail running is a physically demanding running sport. Therefore, it requires runners to exert more effort and use more energy. After using carbohydrates, your body will then utilize your fats by burning them and converting them to energy. Through trail running, your fats, especially your visceral fats, are burned more effectively and efficiently.
2) It helps you maintain a healthy weight
When you are able to effectively burn fats in your body, you will be able to lose unhealthy weight and this leads you to maintain a healthy weight.
3) It strengthens your muscles
You activate and utilize more muscles in your lower limbs and in your core when you do trail running. When you trail run regularly, you strengthen all these muscles and give yourself more power, endurance, and force.
4) It boosts your cardiovascular system
Trail running also helps boost your cardiovascular system. First, it strengthens your heart muscle. Second, it improves the flow of blood in your entire body.
Tips In Trail Running
- 1) Get to know everything you can about trail running. It is different from the usual run that you do on flat roads.
- 2) Train your body and mind by going for easy trail runs first. It would be best if you tag along someone who is also a runner like you.
- 3) Equip yourself with proper equipment. Some of these include trail running shoes, light backpack, water container, light snacks, jacket and trousers with tapered seams, map, compass, and more.
Regular Trail Running
With regular trail running, you can be healthier, stronger, and closer to your fitness goals. But beyond that, you will be able to immerse in nature and appreciate its beauty and wonders.