Must-Read: Running Is Not Bad For Your Knees

We hate running. We really do. We understand that it’s a workout that needs to get done in order to be healthy and get active and stay in shape. But running is not one of the great things that we look forward to in the morning, afternoon or evening. And, in fact, the people that do think like that we simply don’t understand. And for years we were able to avoid running by repeating something in our minds that we overheard once about how running is so bad on your knees. And it makes sense. If you are constantly smacking your feet against the pavement, that shock is heading straight up your legs and into your knees. And knees are brittle things that cannot stand that kind of impact for long periods of time.

Right? Right?

No. Turns out, that isn’t the case at all. Unfortunately, according to the fine folks at Men’s Fitness, we may not be able to use that excuse anymore:

Sure, on a per-step basis, running puts more pressure on your joints compared to walking. But the study, which included almost 75,000 runners, found no evidence that running increases the risk of developing osteoarthritis, even if you bang out marathons on a regular basis. In fact, the research suggests that runners–let’s clarify: Runners who had no previously existing knee problems?actually had a lower risk of developing arthritis compared to less active non-runners.

Damn it. Maybe we’ll just agree to all ignore this little bit of science and continue spreading the myth that running is bad for your knees? If only so then we don’t need to run anymore? Is that alright? Can we all agree on that?