WARNING: 6 Types Of Surfaces That You Must Know Before Running
These days, it's no wonder why running is a very popular fitness activity. Unlike other aerobic exercises or sports that require a court, a gym membership, a fancy equipment or whatsoever, in running, you will just need a pair of shoes to get started.
Running does not restrict you into courts. You have the choice to run on sidewalks, streets, trails, or synthetic playing surfaces. However, know that each of these running surfaces will affect your health and overall performance. Varying your running surface from time to time may be a big help to stay injury-free. Below are the six common types of running surfaces and their impact on your running form:
1) Grass. For many runners, grass is considered as the best, not to mention the safest, running surface because of its soft effect that puts less impact to the body. Nevertheless, if the grass is bumpy and rough, it can still lead to sprains and other ankle injuries. In the absence of grass, many playing surface owners use a popular alternative - synthetic lawn. There are quite a number of synthetic lawn suppliers who are experts in solving such problem.
2) Concrete. Concretes are abundant and easily accessible but for many runners, they are regarded as one of the worst surfaces because of the impact they can put to the body. The shocks that the body has to absorb can lead to safety issues that's why most coaches do not advise their runners to run on concretes.
3) Asphalt. Asphalt is a better running surface when compared to concrete. It's a blend of gravel, rock, and tar that most likely make up the roads in your community. It may not be the softest surface available but you can hardly avoid running on it. However, there are roads that are sloped for drainage purposes. Running on it, with one leg higher than the other, might lead to serious joint problems.
4) Treadmill. A treadmill is an indoor exercise equipment with a moving running belt. It is a convenient solution especially during extreme weather conditions. However, running on a treadmill, particularly for aspiring athletes, is not an ideal replacement for road running due to its limited surface. If used for training, it can be hard for the body to shift from treadmill running to running on the actual playing surface.
5) Dirt Trails. Besides grass, dirt trails are also an ideal running surface because of its cushioning effect. However, running on it might be a bit harder because one has to watch out for rocks, tree roots, or other irregularities that can cause ankle injury.
6) Synthetic Tracks. Synthetic tracks are a good surface to run on for speed work. Polyurethane tracks are considered to be a terrific running surface because of the less shock absorption they provide. Schools as well are fond of using synthetic playing surfaces. A lot of schools can attest to that.
Generally, the best surface for runners are those that are soft and smooth but if you plan on varying your running surface, give your body a time to adjust.
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The author blogs about synthetic grass at http://syntheticgrassbenefits.blog.com/
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