A renowned plastic surgeon has shared why he tells his patients not to run, because the vigorous exercise causes people to age faster.
Dr. Gerald Imber, 82, has a private office on Manhattan’s Upper East Side where he specializes in facial and body procedures, including the limited-incision facelift he began doing decades ago.
The expert, who has a special interest in the treatment and prevention of aging, made TikTok happy and angry at the same time this week when he opened up about how long-distance running is a “pet annoyance” of his.
“Half my patients love it, and half my patients hate me for it,” he admitted at the start of the now-viral video.
plastic surgeon Dr. Gerald Imber, 82, went viral on TikTok this week after sharing why he tells patients to avoid long-distance running
He admitted that running is a “pet hobby” of his, saying, “Half my patients love me, and half my patients hate me for it.”
Dr. Imber challenged viewers to think of a long-distance runner who didn’t have a “skinny old face.”
Dr. Imber noted that it’s “fine to run a little bit every day or run a few miles a few times a week,” but he says anything more than that is too much.
“Have you ever seen a long-distance runner who didn’t have a skinny old face?” he asked. “That’s what happens.”
“Runner’s face” has long been a hot topic for discussion in the running community, with some claiming that the impact of running has caused the skin on their faces to sag.
Others suggest that the observed advanced aging is due to low body fat or to runners’ increased exposure to the sun.
Dr. Imber added that marathon running also puts stress on the body, saying, “Your knees go, your ankles go, (and) your back goes.”
“It’s a bit silly,” he added.
However, running also has some benefits and he reiterated that there is nothing wrong with running occasionally.
“So if you want to run a little bit, great but non-impact or low-impact aerobics is really the way to get your exercise,” he concluded.
Dr. Imber added that marathon running also puts stress on the body, saying, “Your knees go, your ankles go, (and) your back goes.”
Dr. Imber noted that it’s “fine to run a little every day or run a few miles a few times a week,” but he says anything more than that is too much.
A number of commentators agreed with the plastic surgeon, including some former runners, but others made it clear they wouldn’t give up their preferred workout
The video of dr. Imber has been viewed 1.8 million times and received more than 4,000 comments in just two days.
Unsurprisingly, there were plenty of people who raved about the expert’s anti-run stance.
“You don’t have to tell me twice!” joked one fan.
Some former runners were inspired to share the injuries they’ve sustained over the years from high-impact exercise.
“I used to walk 6 miles a day,” said a 44-year-old who has already had two hip replacements.
‘Agree!! Ran marathons, had 2 back surgeries,” someone else added.
The comment section was also filled with many posts from running devotees who have made it clear that they will not give up their favorite form of exercise.
‘I like to run. It’s therapeutic for me and I feel great after a good run,” one wrote. ‘I’m addicted to the runner’s high. I think I’ll look old but feel great!’