Snell Real Estate

Next time you lace up your running shoes, skip your community’s fully loaded fitness center and head for one of the beautiful Cabo San Lucas beaches instead.  Running in the sand is an excellent way to kick your workout into high gear. Not only does it help to develop strength and balance, but it’s also easier on your joints and burns more calories. Plus, you’ll get the chance to take in those spectacular Cabo views!

You know how hard it is to stagger through the sand with all of your beach gear – and the instability of the surface is exactly what makes running in sand such a great workout.  It forces your body to work harder and use more energy, both to propel yourself forward and to maintain your center of gravity. All that extra effort adds up to increased muscle strength and balance – and, even better, a higher calorie burn! Research has proven that running in sand burns between 20 and 80 more calories per mile and results in measurably stronger calves than running on a flat surface.

If you run in sand regularly, you’ll also develop better coordination.  As the sand shifts beneath you, your body automatically engages your core muscles to help you keep your balance. That means you’re getting an abs workout without a single crunch! Your shoulders, back, ankles, and arches also get in on the action. Over time, you’ll actually move more fluidly and gain more control over your body in every day life, making you less likely to fall – and more likely to catch yourself and avoid injury if you do.

Another benefit of running on the beach in Cabo is that it’s easier on your joints. Sand absorbs almost 100% of impact, which you’ve probably noticed if you’ve ever sliced a golf ball into a sand trap. Running along the shore gives your body a break from the strain of literally pounding the pavement, making those tell-tale aches in your back, knees, or hips a distant memory.

Of course, don’t forget the psychological benefits that come with running on Cabo’s beaches. If you run to relieve tension or to clear your mind, the magnificence of the ocean or the rhythmic sound of crashing waves can be very soothing. You’ll also get your recommended allowance of Vitamin D, which keeps bones strong and increases serotonin levels to improve your mood.  And you can’t deny the motivating effects of the parade of sunbathers you’ll pass as you zoom down the shoreline.

If you decide take your workout to the beach, invest in stable running shoes, and stay off the slope to prevent injury. Instead, run along the shoreline on firmly-packed sand and aim to land mid-foot. Keep yourself balanced by shortening your stride, leaning forward, and lifting your knees and arms higher. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll find yourself running to get your next workout on one of Cabo’s beautiful beaches!