Couch Potato Run Club teaches absolute beginners to do their first 5km

Keen to begin running?

Calvin Hammond of the Couch Potato Run Club says you just need to start.

The club focuses on walking/running for beginners, for only five kilometres.

"With a lot of running clubs, you have 10km programmes, but we focus on the complete beginner," Hammond says.

He believes taking small steps is the key to an improved perspective on starting a fitness journey in running.

"It's not about arriving at a summer body, it's about living a lifestyle where you have energy, healthy blood flow and body movement so you can live each day, whatever your activities are, whatever your work schedule is, whatever your goals are in life.

"You have the energy to do that and bodily functions to do that without feeling restricted, fatigued or tired.

"Having your cardiovascular fitness go up, committing to a programme that has you waking up early sometimes or going to a running crew that happens in the evening; we have both of those options covered. We have morning crews and evening crews. Taking that and almost looking at the long-term goal and not just an arrival finish line goal, that switches the perspective a lot."

Many beginners who don't think they can achieve a goal of running for five kilometres are often the most successful Couch Potato Run Club members who go on to participate in half and full marathons, said Hammond.

To see more of Couch Potato Run Club, click here.

To listen to Hammond in conversation with Africa Melane on 702 and CapeTalk's Early Breakfast Show, click below: