Jogging Versus Sprinting: Which Is Better For You?

Cardio has become synonymous with jogging. You tighten up your running shoes, hit the treadmill or the road and just go until your joints can't handle it anymore or until you're bored. That's how you're supposed to burn calories and lose weight. Isn't it?

It might be time to rethink your exercise regimen.

Endurance training, like jogging or cycling, trigger's the body's natural release of cortisol. This has its benefits, but purely in terms of exercise and muscle growth, cortisol is a hormone that can restrict your body's ability to build muscle.

So what can you do to combat this? Is there a way to improve cardiovascular health, while at the same time not impeding the body's ability to grow muscle, or to even assist in the process?

Think about how the human body evolved (or was created, if you're into that sort of thing). People were designed to both walk and sprint. Seldom does jogging occur with any other species in nature. Animals walk to migrate and sprint to hunt or flee.

While jogging can release cortisol into the body, sprinting can naturally release much more beneficial hormones in terms of muscle-building: testosterone and human growth hormone (HGH). Yes, both men and women have the ability to generate testosterone and HGH, albeit at very different levels. No, these aren't the synthetic substances that athletes get banned for. These are naturally occurring hormones that help to build muscle, slow aging, build stronger bones, etc.

Not only does sprinting shoot your testosterone and HGH levels way up, but it can keep them up for a few hours after your workout. This keeps your body burning fat long after your workout is done.

Also, jogging, like walking, will severely neglect your body's fast twitch muscle fibers, while emphasizing the slow-twitch variety. What's the difference? Fast-twitch fibers are used for explosive, powerful movements, while slow-twitch fibers are the source of muscle stamina. In terms of appearance, athletes who focus on training that emphasizes the slow-twitch fibers tend to have long, slender muscles, while those whose training relies on fast-twitch fibers tend to be bulkier.

Now, should you completely eliminate jogging from your workout routine? Not necessarily. I would recommend about a 70/30 percent split between sprinting and jogging, respectively. This will ensure that both muscle fiber types are being utilized, and that you will be developing both power and endurance as you train.

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