Running – it's the age-old exercise staple that's as divisive as it's ubiquitous. Hailed as a panacea by some, vilified as a joint wrecker by others. It's time we cut through the noise and got to the scientifically-backed facts.

Beyond merely helping to shed off pounds, the art of running goes far beyond aesthetics – it's a boon to the body's inner workings too. It is a muscle builder, a bone densifier, a heart fortifier, and a mind bolster. And it's conveniently cheap and accessible – grab those sneakers, and you're ready to seize the world, one stride at a time.

Heart & Vessels - Your Cardiovascular Cheerleaders When you run, you're giving your heart an invigorating workout. With each thundering beat, it pumps harder to send oxygen coursing through your body. This isn't just beneficial in the moment, it's a long-term life insurance plan – reducing the risk of falling prey to heart diseases.

Run to Sleep, Sleep to Run Running isn't just about physical exertion, it aids in recuperation too – specifically, sleep. Research indicates that morning runs or varying intensities of running could effectively improve both sleep quality and duration.

Run to Strengthen, Not Sabotage, Your Joints Contrary to popular belief, running isn't the knee and back destructor it’s egregiously mistaken to be. Research advocates that not only does running render joint-strengthening benefit, but it also significantly lowers the risk of having a knee or hip replacement.

Run to Preserve & Proliferate Brain Cells Running is not just brawn, but brain too. Regular aerobic exercise like running has been scientifically shown to not only boost new nerve cell growth but also fight against age-related mental decline.

Run to Supercharge Your Immunity Up your running game, and your immunity levels will thank you. Higher-intensity workouts like running fortify your immune system, reducing the frequency and severity of colds.

Run for Under the Hood Benefits Have you ever felt that post-run zestiness? That is your mood getting a nifty boost and the stress melting away. Running is also linked to lower anxiety and depression symptoms, better concentration, and improved energy levels.

Run for the Long Haul Want to keep chronic diseases at bay? Start running. Regular physical activity, even in small amounts, can significantly reduce the risk of developing cancer and heart diseases.

Running For All, Not For Some While running reaps numerous benefits, if you are grappling with certain health conditions, it's better to seek medical advice before embracing this aerobic activity. Conditions such as heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, osteoporosis, or rheumatoid arthritis may need extra care and a tailored running routine to ensure safety.

Our advice to you - start as slow as a turtle and build up from there. Aim for 75 minutes of vigorous weekly running and supplement this with a couple of weekly strength training sessions.

Ready to hit the ground running (or jogging)? Make an action plan, set achievable running goals, and run towards your path of full-bodied fitness.