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Walking Is The Best Exercise... Or Is It?
I frequently hear conflicting opinions about walking, ranging from "it is the best exercise" to "it is not enough." Which is true? Both statements are true and false - it all depends on you, your goals, your fitness level, and your interest in the activity.
If you do not currently exercise, walking is a good way to start: you know how to do it (no training required), all you have to do is walk out your front door, and you can go at a pace that suits your beginning fitness level. Walking is a great way to get going for someone at this level.
And, because of its low-impact and low-intensity nature, walking is a good option for someone coming back from an injury or illness.
In the beginning, depending on how often and how long you walk, you will notice changes in your body shape and endurance. After some time though, if walking is your only form of exercise, you may notice that your body stops making changes - you plateau. At this point, to continue making improvements, you need to cross train (add another activity) and train by heart rate (monitoring your exercise intensity to make sure it is appropriate to meet your goals). This will sufficiently challenge your body to continue making improvements.
Even for someone at a higher level of fitness, walking can be helpful. For example, it provides athletes (from amateur on up) an exercise that is easy on the body - a way to cross train and provide the body with rest from its usual routine. For someone whose exercise program consists mostly of biking or swimming (both of which are non-weight-bearing exercises) it offers a weight-bearing alternative - another way to cross train as each type of exercise has its pros and cons.
Whatever exercises you choose to do, do them well and, most importantly, do them consistently!
In Health,
Bonnie
If you do not currently exercise, walking is a good way to start: you know how to do it (no training required), all you have to do is walk out your front door, and you can go at a pace that suits your beginning fitness level. Walking is a great way to get going for someone at this level.
And, because of its low-impact and low-intensity nature, walking is a good option for someone coming back from an injury or illness.
In the beginning, depending on how often and how long you walk, you will notice changes in your body shape and endurance. After some time though, if walking is your only form of exercise, you may notice that your body stops making changes - you plateau. At this point, to continue making improvements, you need to cross train (add another activity) and train by heart rate (monitoring your exercise intensity to make sure it is appropriate to meet your goals). This will sufficiently challenge your body to continue making improvements.
Even for someone at a higher level of fitness, walking can be helpful. For example, it provides athletes (from amateur on up) an exercise that is easy on the body - a way to cross train and provide the body with rest from its usual routine. For someone whose exercise program consists mostly of biking or swimming (both of which are non-weight-bearing exercises) it offers a weight-bearing alternative - another way to cross train as each type of exercise has its pros and cons.
Whatever exercises you choose to do, do them well and, most importantly, do them consistently!
In Health,
Bonnie
