The Secret to "Baywatch" Running

If you've never seen the show or movie Baywatch, you've at least heard of the iconic, slow motion running down the edge of the beach. But how do they maintain such an elegant running form on such an unstable surface?

Allow us to help you get "Baywatch" ready with these beach running tips:

1. Pace Yourself - Going too hard and pushing yourself too quickly can result in muscle strains in your feet or hamstrings. Start off slow until your body gets use to the uneven surface.
2. Shoes or Barefoot? - You can do either, but there are cons to both. Running barefoot can be dangerous if the beach is not clean. Running with shoes do protect your feet, but can get water logged and sand-filled- making your workout far more uncomfortable and unstable with each step. It's personal preference mainly.
3. Morning Runs - It's best to run early in the morning when it's still relatively cool outside. The humidity down south can be quite overbearing and make a runner feel as if their drowning during heavy breaths. Typically, in the mornings the air is still cool and dry enough to get a good workout in.
4. Sunscreen - Just like any outdoor sport, don't forget the sunscreen! Skin cancer is no joke!
5. Hydration - In hotter climates it's important you drink twice as much water as you would normally. Especially if you plan to be outside for extended periods of time.
6. Recovery - They may make it look easy on Baywatch but, running on the beach is an intense workout! Be sure to stretch well afterwards and use foam rollers on your feet, legs, and back to help alleviate the stress from your body working so hard.

As mentioned above, this workout can be quite intense. You might be wondering why you should consider this as a training method. We've got the facts for you.

How is this workout so beneficial?

Compared to running on pavement, jogging on the beach is much harder, but also more effective. The muscles of your feet and legs have to work much harder than usual. Plus, you have to engage the stabilizing muscles of your core to compensate for the uneven surface. This helps your body develop a natural and very efficient running form while working your core. Most professional athletes use this in their regular training methods to help maintain and build a stronger running form.

Running on the beach is a real fat burner! Because the muscle groups involved in running have to work harder than usual, your body requires more energy. The best thing about this is that your muscles also require more energy post-run in order to recover properly. This means that post-workout, you burn more calories than usual, which is generally known as the afterburn effect.

Now that you know the facts and have the tips, you'll be running as elegantly as those Baywatch lifeguards... Or you'll at least get a solid running form out of it. Whatever your goal is, remember you're strong at any level. Keep pushing!