How to Change Up Your Walking Routine
By Genevieve Cunningham
Walking is a great way to exercise. It's easy on the joints, taxing on the lungs, and still helps you build a fit body. But if you have been walking for a while, you may be anxious to take it up a notch. And yet, you're not quite ready to run. If you need to increase the intensity of your walking routine, but you're not ready to jog just yet, take a look at these tips for changing up your walking routine for more fitness success.
Find a New Path
If you’re walking the same old path over and over again, it might do you some good to find somewhere new to pound the pavement. Sometimes a new path really challenges your body in a different way. If you walk on a treadmill, find a trail at the park. If you already walk at the park, look for a hiking or nature trail. Just change it up. This might help you walk faster, farther, or just allow you to use different muscles and see different sights.
Go Uphill
An uphill walk is really challenging. It requires you to fire different muscles in the legs, and it forces your heart to pump more blood and oxygen. If you have a hill nearby, use it to change up your routine. If you don’t have a hill anywhere close, just use stairs. Walking up stairs will have the same effect, and for some people, it may even seem more difficult. If you have a hard time making it to the top, just remember that once you reach the peak, it’s all downhill from there.
Lengthen Your Journey
If you’re not keen on changing the location of your walk, just walk longer. If you currently walk for 30 minutes, walk for an hour instead. This will mean more calories burned, longer stress on the lungs, and improved stamina by the end. Lengthening your walk is one of the easiest ways to take it up a notch with very little thought or involvement.
There’s nothing wrong with using walking for exercise. It’s a great choice that can be used now and will last into the future. And the best part is that it is easily adaptable. Change up your walking routine using these tips, and you’ll be able to improve your health and fitness for the rest of your life.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Santa Ana, Calif.
