What "Plogging" Does To Your Body Makes It Such An Effective Workout

"Plogging" is making major waves in the fitness world right now—and for good reason. If you haven't heard of this type of workout before, we're certain it will soon become your new favorite way to sweat it out and tone it up outdoors. Plus, people are doing it for a truly amazing cause.

Plogging is a feel-good exercise that individuals, co-workers, friend groups, and entire communities are doing right now. Essentially, people are getting outdoors in the fresh air and jogging while picking up trash along the way. They are doing their part in helping keep the planet—our home—clean, while getting a solid workout in and getting social.

You may be surprised to learn that an approximate 2,000,000 ploggers are reportedly, well, plogging each and every day worldwide. Jogging while picking up litter is a multitasking phenomenon that will feed your entire body and your community in a multitude of ways. So, it's time to get up and go.

Whether you've been getting your plogging on or have yet to join the hype, what this workout does to your body makes it such an effective type of exercise you'll want to incorporate in your regular routine. It's never too late to start plogging, and after you hear these health benefits, you'll want to start ASAP. Give your body and your surroundings one big healthy dose of physical fitness. Read on to learn more, and next, check out The 6 Best Exercises for Strong and Toned Arms in 2022, Trainer Says.

You'll be exercising your heart in more ways than one

woman picking up trash while plogging — Shutterstock

Before you know it, you'll be exercising your heart in more ways than one. Plogging will give your heart a great aerobic workout, while also showing all the love to your neighborhood with a bit of community sprucing. In fact, jogging is exercise for your entire cardiovascular structure, enhancing your heart health in the process. Tim Liu, CSCS, Precision Nutrition Certified Coach tells us, "Jogging on a weekly basis can improve your heart health and will build endurance and Type I muscle fibers in your legs."

You'll relieve stress and anxiety

Jogging is an exercise that accelerates the production of endorphins in your body, which are brain elements that lift your mood and work as natural painkillers. Aerobic exercise like jogging also helps decrease how much adrenaline and cortisol (aka stress hormones) are in your body, according to Harvard Health Publishing.

You'll benefit from interval training as you bend, stretch, and squat

Interval training is short, powerful exercising and short amounts of rest. This type of exercise benefits your cardio as well. So, as you bend, stretch, squat, and repeat throughout your plogging, you're giving your workout variety and adding in some additional fitness you'll benefit from. According to research published by Harvard Health Publishing, performing 20 minutes of interval training three times each week is a great enhancement to your cardio routine.

You'll bring your self esteem and confidence to such great heights

friends pose for selfie while plogging — Shutterstock

As discussed earlier, exercising regularly generates a higher level of energy throughout the day. Having more energy will do so much good to your overall well-being. It can increase your productivity in positive ways, help keep you physically fit, and boost your self-confidence. It's also incredibly helpful in lifting your mood and kicking any depressed feelings you may be having straight to the curb.

It will all-around feed your soul with happiness

According to a study published in The Journal of Social Psychology, doing thoughtful tasks for others will fill your soul with so much happiness. As a matter of fact, there are plenty of studies out there that prove that acts of kindness result in pretty incredible things. Additional research even suggests that when you begin to show these acts of kindness, you'll want to keep spreading kindness.

Before you start your plogging adventure, though, be sure you're fully prepped. Liu notes, "Start off slow, building up your volume over time. Wear proper shoes to give you the support that you need, and avoid heel striking. Learn to run on the balls of your feet with a slight torso lean."