Running Uphill: 4 Reasons To Love The Incline

Sometimes the thought of running any sort of incline can be intimidating, however research has shown that running uphill not only strengthens your physical muscles, but also can strengthen your spirit just as much. Here are 4 reasons to embrace the INCLINE:

1. YOU'LL BURN MORE CALORIES
   This one isn’t a shocker. Incline running will increase your cardiovascular fitness tremendously. By increasing the incline, even slightly, it will cause your heart rate to rise, which in return will help you burn up to 50% more calories than a person running along a flat terrain.

2. YOU’LL HELP YOUR BODY COMPOSITION (TONE YOUR LEGS, GLUTES, and CORE)
   An incline can help you achieve greater muscle usage, which in return will lead to more fat being used, changing your overall body composition. When you walk or run uphill, you’re instantly engaging your glutes and hamstrings, thus toning those legs and butt. And if you are outside and headed back down the hill, your quads are now jumping into action to help stabilize your body. And lastly, your core is constantly working throughout the exercise to help stabilize your entire body.

3. YOU'LL FOCUS BETTER
   A study published in the journal Psychological Science showed that when people walked in nature, they experienced improved focus. So what does this mean for you? You can get physiological benefits when ramping up the incline on your treadmill, but if you take your hike outside, you’ll boost your body and mind.

4. YOU’LL BE HAPPIER
   This might be the best benefit of all: research has shown that hiking can reduce and even stave off depression. More specifically, researchers found that hiking can reduce rumination, or rather, repetitive, negative thoughts.

So get outside, embrace the incline and get yourself some sunshine!