Many clients come to me with the belief that walking isn’t true exercise because while they are walking they aren’t sweating or breathing heavy. But for many walking is one of the best modes of cardio.
If you have a desk job you may not be moving your body as much as others with more active jobs. You sit (or stand) in one position for so long your muscles get tight, leaving you with aches, pains and poor mobility.
Walking is low intensity cardio exercise with these key benefits:
- Walking can burn as many calories as high intensity interval training (HIIT). 10 minutes of HIIT burns approximately 100 calories, just as 20 minutes of walking burns approximately 100 calories.
- Walking is less stressful on the joints. Those with injuries, past surgeries, knee or hip replacements, tight muscles, ache-y knees, arthritis, and other pains, walking can be a form of cardio exercise that feels good and burns calories.
- The Center for Disease Control recommends we get 10,000 steps per day. They recommend this because it can lower the risk for heart disease and metabolic conditions.
- Approximately every 2,000 steps burns 100 calories.
Always consult with your doctor and personal trainer about new exercise programs you want to participate in.
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