Let the Hills Work for Your Health
By Tom Herrin
Trying to find that exercise program that is just right seems to be a constant battle for many people. It is not that they don’t have a desire but that busy schedules simply prevent the pursuit of the kind of activity that can protect health and provide better maintenance. Some people attempt to do their exercise in the mornings while others choose to do so in the afternoon or evening. For those with a real time crunch, a great way to maximize that time and effort is to walk up hills. It can mean getting a lot done without spending all your available spare time.
It May Save Joints
In general, people tend to wear out places in which movement occurs as they age. The joints can take a beating by so much continued impact. Selecting exercises that may help to protect them can be helpful. Walking up hills can work those muscles that surround the joints without so much impact. This can strengthen the muscles, providing better protection for them. Since there is quite a bit of work involved, the muscles get good work and the heart and circulatory system can be developed as well. The stress of a typically hard workout is avoided.
It May Tone Muscles
For those wishing to improve the toning of their bodies, walking up hills may achieve it much more efficiently. It is a concentrated enough activity that progress can be seen in a relatively short period of time, certainly shorter than most are accustomed to. Many people spend large amounts of time trying to get their legs smaller and leaner looking. Walking up hills can bypass much of that.
It May Burn Fat in Unexpected Places
Most of us would do almost anything to be able to burn fat. When people walk up hills, they usually must walk down them as well. Varying the type of exercise kind of keeps the body from getting complacent. It can mean that the fat burning ability can be high with certain activities while shifting and slowing with others. There are times when this type of routine can cause the body to become more effective at burning fat. This may help to burn the type of fat that can accumulate in and around the organs, which is a type of fat many people are often unaware of. With the time you may save walking up and down hills, you may even find yourself with more time for other things, and those hills don’t have to be anything great. They may be in your local park.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Tucson, Ariz.
