Hitting the gym isn't for everyone. It can be hot, sweaty and often leaves you with aches and pains.However, Dr Karan Rajan, an NHS surgeon and lecturer at Sunderland University, suggests there's another way to get a workout without these drawbacks.
Surprisingly, this method might even allow you to have a chat with your mates while losing weight, and it won't leave you gasping for breath.On Instagram (@drkaranrajan), he shared: "If you're a slow runner, I've got some good news.
You don't need to put the body under excessive amounts of stress to get a cardiovascular adaptation and benefits like a reduction in resting blood pressure." Dr Rajan explains that 'slow running' - or 'zone two exercise' - is defined as a pace where you can 'comfortably hold a conversation'.
On a scale from one to 10, where 10 is an 'all-out sprint', this sweet spot may be a four or five.In a 2015 study, researchers actually studied the long-term mortality rates of light, moderate and strenuous joggers, as well as non-runners.