Several years ago, walking was believed to be the best possible exercise. So, does this mean walking is more beneficial to our health than some more vigorous exercises? Let us see what research has to say to this.
Health Benefits of Walking
- Promotes longevity.
- Eases stress, anger, tension, fatigue and confusion.
- Walking for 20 minutes, 5days per week burns 7 pounds of body fat per year.
- Walking for 30 minutes, 5 days per week, reduces the risk of heart disease.
- It reduces stress, cholesterol and blood pressure.
- When combined with diet, it can reduce the risk of diabetes by 50%.
- It improves memory.
Still, is it a substitute for high-intensity exercises? Consider these points:
Walking Pace
As an aerobic exercise, the impact of walking is supposed to be felt in our hearts. It is supposed to increase our heart rate and get us breathing harder. As we get into shape, we’ll need to put more effort into exercising our hearts. Unlike individuals that are just getting to start exercising for the first time, more effort is required to exercise our heart.
Therefore, walking, as usual, may have no cardiovascular effects on individuals that have been into exercising for a while. At this point, you need to begin higher-intensity exercises.
Strength training
Walking strengthens certain muscles in our body, but cannot strengthen all. Research shows that strength training is the most effective way to slow and halt loss of muscle mass due to aging. Walking cannot stop the muscles from degrading like strength training.
Shedding Fat
As we now know, walking for few minutes is beneficial to our health. When it comes to shedding body fat, losing weight or some other significant health results, it will either require higher intensity exercises.
