Obstacle course races, also referred to as mud runs and obstacle runs, are controlled environments that full of obstacles. The race is meant to unleash your grit and character. It involves passing through a number of different obstacles, a lot of running and having a determined attitude. Unlike standard runs, you are required to utilize your core strength and upper body and some primary traversing skills. There are ones that focus on harder obstacles, like wall climbing, crawling under barbed wire, and brisk walking on frozen water – all of which test your will and resolve as well as your mental and physical abilities.
On the other hand, there are ones that are more entertainment-oriented that add a twist to the regular 5K or 10K run, like the Color Run (where you are splashed with color) or Soap Run. Obstacle course races are a great way to get fit while having fun. Let’s take a look at 10 reasons explaining why you join one.
1. Promotes Functional Fitness
Regular workouts and running can be boring since there are no “accomplishments” to be made. However, obstacle races are challenging and they give people something to compete for and offer them an ultimate sense of achievement. Whether you are looking to kill time, learn a new skill like rope climbing, or lose calories, you can have it with an obstacle course race.
2. Encourages Camaraderie and Connection
Obstacle runs are quickly gaining popularity since they promote team work for friend groups, corporate members, and social clubs. This means you can build some muscle while you have fun with your friends and team mates.
3. Sparks Competitive Spirit
Friendly competition is a great way to explore your capabilities and at the same time motivate yourself to do better. It gives you the courage to do things you believed you could never do before and pushes you to go ahead.
4. Teaches You to Overcome Mental Obstacles
In the muddy and gritty trenches, you will surely encounter the unexpected. Depending on the race’s length and the intensity of obstacles, your stress responses will be triggered numerous times. However, your only option to finish the race would be to accept the challenges and go through them. What this does is teach us a valuable life lesson that life may become easier if you stopped making excuses all the times and actually finished what you started.
5. Allows You See Life in a Different Way
Your first obstacle course run will allow you to enjoy it as a modern warrior – which will make you rethink your lifestyle in a new light. The result is usually a domino effect to be a happier, healthier and better person.
6. Allows You to Be Part of a Growing Fitness Community
When you enter an obstacle course race, you join in a community that believes it is okay to have fun. Not only do you get to make a lot of new friends, but you also learn from each other’s experiences. You can easily turn your fitness and training into a social gathering, where everyone motivates each other and are just looking to have some fun.
7. Helps Fight Stress
Obstacle runs help you stabilize emotionally. They help you take your mind off stressful things and also gives you a chance to bond with new people, which for some people can be very emotionally rewarding. Furthermore, experts believe that directing your anger or stress towards completing a race can help reap fruitful results. And once you reach the finish line, you will feel stress-free.
8. Strengthens the Heart
Without a doubt, your heart benefits from rigorous exercises, such as obstacle races. The more blood your heart pumps, the stronger it becomes and your blood fluidity also improves. And when you have a strong heart, you are less prone to developing heart disease.
9. Builds Endurance and Strength
Climbing ropes and walls, crawling under barbed wires and jumping over obstacles test your strength and push your limits, making you stronger and better-prepared for the next race.
10.Sharpens the Brain
For an obstacle race, you do not only need to be physically prepared, but you have to be mentally prepared as well. Focusing on finishing the race increases your concentration level, thus sharpening your mind.
There is nothing better than the thrill of participating in something that challenges your mind and body. And with your teammates around, obstacle course races can become one of the most fun adventures in your lifetime. Now that you are aware of its benefits, it is time to enter an obstacle course race and see what all the hype is really about.
Keywords: Top 10, Enter an Obstacle Course Race, Mud Run, Tough Mudder, Spartan Race
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