Why do joggers lift their arms up when they jog?

What are you supposed to do when you jog? That’s just the natural and correct way to use your arms when running or jogging.

For some it helps to ease their breathing as their lungs are stretched out.

Wouldn’t it be kinda awkward to jog with them straight down by your sides?

@Jade That’s what I’m saying!

You mean keep ‘em close to their chest? That’s for folks like me that don’t need any extra movement to get the heart rate up.

Conversely, you may have noticed power walkers who swing their arms a lot, and that’s to GET (and keep) their heart rate up.

If a runner was in great shape, he’d be able to swing his arms while jogging, and if the walker was just starting out on the path to fitness, he may not be need to swing his arms to get his heart rate up – just the act of walking is enough.

Maybe it’s like power walking… lifting your arms means more movement, thus more calories burned?

I don’t know. People always look silly while jogging. Why not be as silly-looking as possible?

And, it is always good to hold an egg.

I don’t think the OP is talking about running.. normally…. I think they are talking about putting their hands all the way up.. like hands on top of the head…. correct me if I’m wrong…

Balance. a good example is to watch a dog walk or run. a dogs front leg compensates for a dogs back leg when running or walking. same applies to a human. the only difference is stature. humans run on two legs, a dog runs on all four.

To help continue forward momentum.

Can you link to a picture or video to show what you mean? I’m imagining a few different possibilities.

Usually the most efficient runners don’t raise their hands much above waist level when they run. I thought you were referring to raising arms over your head when you cross the finish line, that is a “thank goodness I have reached the end and am still alive” gesture.
But now not sure what you mean???

I think it’s just a natural reaction.

Try running, and hold your hands to your sides—It will feel quite awkward.

I mean putting their hands up over their heads. Come on, I’m NOT talking about people jogging with their arms moving back and forth by their waist or chest. I’m talking about when joggers sometimes extend thieir arms up over their heads, like when cops say “put your hands up,” and the crooks put their hands in the air, or like when you’re doing jumping jacks and at the top motion your hands come together. Sorry this wasn’t clear before dudes.

@Rooeytoo you had the right idea. Just like when people raise their hands over their head during a celebration. Why the heck do joggers do this?

@Link – I always do it when I finish the race, I am so thrilled to have made it through another one!!!

I’ve found myself periodically resting my hands on top of my head for about 30 seconds at a time while running marathons in an effort to try to relax and stretch my arm muscles. It seems to help. One time at the finish of a marathon I jumped up and slapped the overhanging timing clock with my hand and nearly knocked it down. The race director scolded me for it. HA!