Nothing ruins a good jog more than seeing a huge pile of rubbish in your favourite park. But instead of just shaking your head as you run by, why not try plogging — picking up litter while jogging.
Plogging — which emerged in the Swedish capital Stockholm around 2016 and blends the phrase ‘plocka upp skrap’ and ‘jogging’ — has become increasingly popular as joggers, armed with rubbish bags, do good for themselves and the environment.
Not only does plogging leave things cleaner than before, it also incorporates additional healthy body movements such as squatting, stretching and bending to a run, helping out with flexibility.
Groups dedicated to plogging have popped up around the world, with joggers being reported seen stooping for litter from Britain and Germany to India and Malaysia, among others.
Boosting your cardiovascular system
The great thing about plogging is that it loans itself to working in exercises like deep knee bends, which you can use to train the gluteal and thigh muscles, says Ingo Froboese, professor at a sports university in the German city Cologne.
“As with classic jogging, the cardiovascular system is challenged and encouraged,” says Froboese. This also strengthens the body’s defences.
If you are still inexperienced in running or walking, you might want to take it slow at first and shift down a gear in between. In addition to the usual running clothes, you’ll need a bin bag or two, as well as some gloves or a tool for picking up litter. – dpa
