Why Walking Works

Keep cardio light and part of everyday life

Being new to the city, I so easily lose myself walking around. I love looking at the architecture, street art, and observing the culture of different neighborhoods. Walking for 30 minutes a day or more on most days of the week is a great way to improve or maintain your overall health.

Walking is a fabulous way to improve or maintain your wellbeing. Just half an hour every day can improve your cardiovascular fitness, strengthen your bones, reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance. This form of movement can also reduce your risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and cancer. Additionally, walking is free and doesn’t require any special equipment or training.

Physical activity does not have to be vigorous or done for long periods in order to improve your health. A 2007 study of inactive women found that even a low level of exercise – of about 75 minutes per week – improved fitness levels significantly, when compared to a non-exercising control group.

Walking is low impact, requires minimal equipment, can be done at any time of day and can be performed at your leisure. You can get out and walk without worrying about the risks associated with some more vigorous forms of exercise. Walking is also a great form of physical activity for those who are overweight, elderly, or who haven’t exercised in a long time.

Health Benefits

You carry your own body weight when you walk, thus the importance of engaging your core. Some benefits of weight-bearing include:

• increased cardiovascular and pulmonary (heart and lung) fitness;
• reduced risk of heart disease and stroke;
• improved management of conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, joint and muscular pain or stiffness, and diabetes;
• stronger bones and improved balance;
• increased muscle strength and endurance; and
• reduced body fat.

Where’s your favorite place to walk?