Is Jogging/Running Bad for Skinny/Thin People?

Imad Deryan Founder of OJ Digital Solutions

Table of Contents
Table of Contents

Can Jogging/Running Help Skinny People Build Muscle Mass?

To gain lean weight, you have been told to increase your caloric intake and start following an exercise program. Jogging is a form of exercise – does that mean you can jog your way to a muscular physique? 

Read on to find out!

Yes, jogging is a type of exercise that yields a variety of fitness benefits, especially for those who are trying to lose weight or maintain a fit physique.

But for a skinny person who wants to gain weight, you might want to prioritize weight lifting, instead of jogging, to build muscle mass.

Can you add jogging to your exercise regimen if you are planning to bulk up? First, let’s check out the fitness benefits you get by running/jogging:

How Does Jogging Keep You Fit and Healthy?

Jogging is an aerobic exercise that can help you enjoy excellent daily health. It is quite an appealing form of exercise because it can be done anytime and you really don’t need any special equipment for it.

All you need is a proper pair of running shoes, comfy clothes, your favorite music blasting on your headphones, and you are all set.

#1 Jogging Burns Fat and Calories.

Fitness experts recommend jogging for those who are struggling with excess body weight.

Depending on your body weight and your speed, 30 minutes of jogging can burn between 280 and 520 calories!

If you are planning to shed some unwanted weight, jogging daily can help you get back in shape.

#2 Jogging Makes You Feel Good. 

Feeling down or grouchy when you wake up? Suit up and go jogging to ward off feelings of negativity.

Whenever you jog, your body releases endorphins – hormones that keep you in a positive mood. That is why you feel calm, refreshed, and full of vigor after your morning run.

#3 Jogging for Stronger Bones.

Whenever you run or jog, your bones are constantly exposed to impact, stress, and load.

Jogging regularly toughens up your bones, making them more able to bear added stress each day. It may also help strengthen your hips and spine, and may even improve bone thickness.

#4 Jogging for a Healthy Heart.

Every time you hear the words “cardio exercise”, you often think about using the treadmill or jogging outdoors. Jogging gives your heart the exercise it needs to stay in top shape every day.

Jogging increases the flow of blood to your heart, which is useful in maintaining healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol values.

#5 Jogging to Support Respiratory Health.

As with other forms of aerobic exercises, jogging helps strengthen your lungs and your diaphragm. This helps your lungs take in more oxygen and remove carbon dioxide whenever you breathe.

So… Is It Advisable to Jog If You Are A Skinny Person Trying to Gain Weight?

Having read some of the benefits of jogging, it sure sounds like an excellent form of exercise to add to your mass-building regimen – or does it?

Doing cardio exercises, such as cycling, jogging, or swimming, is a good idea if you are trying to live a healthy lifestyle. Even if you are a skinny person, cardio exercises can help you stay in perfect shape each day.

But if you are looking to go on a non-stop mass-building mode, cardio exercises can make it hard for you to get the muscle gains you are gunning for.

To gain lean weight, it’s all about consuming more calories than what your body burns.

Jogging burns fat and calories at a steady rate. If you overdo it, you might end up burning off existing lean muscle and end up looking skinnier. 

For a skinny person who wants to grow in size, it would be more practical to focus on strength training, rather than jogging, to build muscle mass.

Once you’ve reached your desired size, you can start increasing your cardio exercise to help trim off unwanted fats and to further develop your endurance.

If you absolutely want to add jogging to your mass-building program, however, you are better off going with short-distance running with intermittent breaks.

Jog for a short time on a separate day – not during your weight training days. This way, you help tone your muscles without burning off calories that you need for growing big.