Why is running really that important?

[IllWil]

I have to say I absolutely HATE running, always has, but probably every top athlete in any sport (almost) do it on a daily basis.
Say you train in wrestling and you want to improve your cardio, wouldn't exercises like 30 mins of the "Ironman" be more optimal for you than 30 mins of running? Because then you're training cardio AND wrestling, plus it's more fun.
I just don't see why I always hear that running is so essential, of course it's good but every day?

Also, do you know of any top-fighters that don't run?

[Revok]

Running is the best way to develop heart and respiratory capacity because we are designed to run. During any cardio activity your body is only as fast as its weakest component, and your leg muscles are the body's strongest, therefore using them is the best method of pushing your heart and lungs to their maximum performance.

You're right though, running isn't always the best option, especially for something like wrestling that requires you develop as much upper body endurance as lower body. The best way of training cardio for wrestling is probably wrestling.

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by Revok

Running is the best way to develop heart and respiratory capacity because we are designed to run. During any cardio activity your body is only as fast as its weakest component, and your leg muscles are the body's strongest, therefore using them is the best method of pushing your heart and lungs to their maximum performance.

You're right though, running isn't always the best option, especially for something like wrestling that requires you develop as much upper body endurance as lower body. The best way of training cardio for wrestling is probably wrestling.

Exactly. Use running to build your cardio capacity but also use sport specific exercise to build endurance.

[manpose]

I notice that guys in my gym that run usually out last those that don't run regularly. I think running is a great way to build endurance but you don't always have to do long distance running. Try mixing in hill climbers, sprints, and other things to make it interesting.

[Brendon Katz]

doesnt quite work like that. any exercise that keeps ur heart rate at a certain rate for a certain time will have the same effect on ur cardiovascular system- ie. your lungs and heart will be more efficient at taking in oxygen and moving it into the blood stream. so if you do 30 minutes of running at 165 beats per minute (bpm) or 30 minutes of cycling at 165 bpm then the cardiovascular effect is the same. sport-specific training is important because muscles that do not work do not show any improvement in the uptake of oxygen ie. if u skip for 30 mins , your pectoral endurance wont improve.

so you dont have to run but u do have to train

[Mark Limbaga]

Its a good way to develop cardio, but not the only way

[thunder126]

Originally Posted by manpose

I notice that guys in my gym that run usually out last those that don't run regularly. I think running is a great way to build endurance but you don't always have to do long distance running. Try mixing in hill climbers, sprints, and other things to make it interesting.

bingo

[Brendon Katz]

so i read today that -
people have different innate levels of arousal , some are high ,some medium and some low. highly aroused people like controlled, calm , repetitive atmospheres/events to reduce their arousal eg. running. people with low arousal prefer exciting, varied, risky things to increase their arousal eg. skydiving. contact sports generally fall into the medium arousal category becuz there is risk, but not much risk of death. so the point im making is that if u dig fighting, its unlikely you will dig running

[Centaur]

Wow.

I don't know where you got that from, but for me, thats the truth.

I wanted to get into shape and HATED running. I mean I fucking hate it on the same level I hate Oprah, so I got in to martial arts (or as my first instructor called it "Combat Athletics")

You have a source on that? I'd like to read more if there is anymore to read.

[SnowBlynd]

Originally Posted by IllWil

Also, do you know of any top-fighters that don't run?

There might be some out there, who knows, but I've never heard of a top fighter who doesn't run.