Run in the Sand for Killer Calves

Imagine training on the beautiful beaches of Hawaii with your mind so far removed from running it’s like you’re not running at all. If you’ve never run on the sand before, you’ll still be very much aware that you are exercising but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it a try.

sxc.hu

Running on sand is extremely difficult but it comes with rewards that make it well worth it. First, your calves get a workout of a life time and get shredded to pieces. In contrast to regular jogging, you’ll get more muscle on the high part of your leg, rather than a slow slope towards your mid leg and down. Your back is also going to be on burn because running in the sand almost forces you into better posture.

Sand is great because it’s a firm surface with give and forces different muscles to react in the process of running. Another side benefit is you can easily measure your stride and foot alignment to see what your run actually looks like. Of course, where there is sand, there is also beach and it really doesn’t get any better than running by the water.

Should you run barefoot?

Most experts recommend you run barefoot which is initially tough on your skin and will cause you to develop blisters. However, once you’re able to run distances in your bare feet, the benefits mentioned above are better recognized.  If you’re going barefoot, start with short distances so you can slowly become acclimated.