Everyone knows the important role that regular exercise plays in keeping the body in shape and healthy. However, unless you’re an avid gym goer or have studied the right techniques, chances are high that you’ve performed common exercises the wrong way without even realizing it. While you may still get your workout, doing certain exercises incorrectly not only works against your fitness goals, it increases the odds of getting an injury, which is the last thing you’ll want to deal with.

One of the easiest ways to incorporate regular exercise into your daily routine is jogging. As simple as this form of physical fitness may seem, it’s also one of the easiest ones to do the wrong way. You may be surprised to know that there is such a thing as proper form when jogging - even if it’s just around your neighborhood, anytime you set out to go jogging, make sure you’re assuming the correct position each time. So where do you begin?

Know Your Foot Type

Just as it is important to know your skin type and body type, knowing your foot type is crucial when it come to jogging for fitness. While those with perfect arches are in the clear, people with flat feet are among the most common types of individuals that end up with jogging-related injuries as a result of not catering to their foot type. If you do have flat feet, the first step is to buy a running shoe that is designed to give your feet proper support. Any experienced shoe salesman will know exactly which running shoes to recommend for your foot type. Wearing regular sneakers means lack of support for your flat feet, which typically results in jogging-related injuries, such as pain in the knees, hips and back.

Keep It Balanced

Did you know that when most people go jogging, they end up placing more weight on one side of their body than the other? What makes this common mistake so dangerous is the fact that it is an easy error to miss. If you’ve been experiencing pain and soreness after your jogs, it could be due to this issue. The next time you go running, be aware of your body and listen to the sounds your feet make each time they hit the pavement. Do you notice that one side of your body tends to make a louder sound on impact, compared to the other side? Then this is the side you favor more. Correct this mistake by creating a symmetrical running stance and ensuring that the weight remains balanced on each side as you run.

Too Much Stride

The way we position our bodies while running may feel comfortable for us but if done incorrectly, over time it can add to pain and even injury, especially when it comes to the back. Another common jogging mistake made involves taking too big of a stride while jogging as well as swinging the arms too much. These two movements alone contribute to back pain. Always assume the right position when running by letting your arms swing naturally without forcing them to extend too far out or back and keep your strides within a comfortable range.

Lack of Strength

As simple as jogging may seem, this action puts a lot of weight and stress on the body. If you’ve got weak knees, glutes, feet or legs, it is important to do strength building exercises to tone these parts of the body. Doing this will prepare the muscles for the impact of jogging. Also make sure your knees stay in line with your hips when running.

Related Articles
	The Importance of Stretching Do you remember to stretch before you begin your workout routine? If you’re not stretching before your workout, you could be putting yourself at risk for a serious injury. Besides avoiding a workout-related injury, stretching can also improve your posture, make you stronger, reduce your   ...Read more		Working Out With Items around Your House Most of us wouldn’t mind getting a great workout in, but we’re either too busy to get to the gym or our budget simply won’t allow for it. Not a problem! You can easily get a great workout in with everyday items from around your home. Think we’re kidding?  Just check out some of the great workout   ...Read more