Doctor sparks controversy by warning AGAINST running as exercise: ‘Do this instead, it’s better for you’
A top plastic surgeon has stunned fitness fans with a brutal takedown of one of the world’s most popular workouts – warning people to ditch running immediately if they value their joints, skin and long-term health.
Dr Gerald Imber, a New York-based plastic surgeon known for his blunt health advice, told his Instagram followers he was ‘tired of saying’ that running destroys the body.
‘Don’t run. I’m so tired of saying it. The story is this: running feels great. That’s terrific. You get a high from it.
‘But your knees go, your ankles go, your hip goes, your skin goes, and your face sags. That’s a pretty high price and that’s not enough.
‘On top of it all, you’re speeding up the fact that you’re going to get shorter from the constant pounding. For me, that’s enough.
‘Why don’t you just get on a bike and forget about running?’ the doctor said.
The video quickly went viral, igniting a fierce debate among runners and cyclists.
Some fitness fans dismissed his advice as fearmongering, while others admitted the doctor had a point.
Dr Gerald Imber, a New York-based plastic surgeon known for his blunt health advice, told his Instagram followers he was ‘tired of saying’ that running destroys the body
‘I’ve been running for 35 years and I believe it’s the fountain of youth! Bye bye, going for a run,’ one woman fired back.
Another wrote, ‘I am 70, I’ve been running for 45 years without injury. I ran a half marathon this year to celebrate my 70th birthday. My cardio health is like someone in their 40s.’
But others said they had been forced to quit running after years of pain.
One woman said, ‘After seven years of running daily, I’m now a walker. It was hard to accept but my body truly rejected running. Walking feels so much better on my joints.’
A second added, ‘He’s absolutely right, your knees will pay for it later in life. Speaking from experience.’
The clash has reignited debate over whether running is truly the ‘fountain of youth’ or an exercise that wears people down over time.
According to Sports Medicine Australia, both running and cycling are excellent forms of cardiovascular exercise, but the key difference lies in impact.
Running places stress on the knees, hips and ankles, which can strengthen bones over time but also increases the risk of injuries like stress fractures, shin splints and joint wear.
Running places stress on the knees, hips and ankles, which can strengthen bones over time but also increases the risk of injuries like stress fractures, shin splints and joint wear
Cycling, on the other hand, is considered a low-impact activity that’s easier on the joints and more sustainable for older adults, though it may not build bone density as effectively.
Experts generally recommend variety: mixing lower-impact activities like cycling, swimming and walking with strength training and occasional running to balance bone health, cardiovascular fitness and joint protection.
Still, Dr Imber’s uncompromising message continues to divide opinion, with many wondering whether their morning jog is keeping them young or simply ageing them faster.
