4 Reasons Why Walking Makes Good Exercise
By Genevieve Cunningham
Working out is an important part of any healthy lifestyle. For some people, this sounds like bad news. Exercise? Forget it! But it’s important to remember that exercise doesn’t have to be torture. It can be simple and enjoyable, as long as you know where to begin. If you’re interested in maintaining a good fitness routine, take a look at why you should begin with walking as soon as today.
It’s Low-Impact
When you’re young, you don’t really think about whether an exercise is low-impact. But as the years go by, you may begin to notice a little soreness or stiffness in the knees or hips. The higher impact an exercise -- think running -- the harder this will be on the joints, and the more it will hurt. Walking is incredibly low-impact. It’s easy on the body, and yet it still provides a challenge to keep you moving toward better fitness.
It’s Long Lasting
Because walking is low-impact, it can quite literally be done for a lifetime. It’s easy enough that young children can do it. It can be adapted into a more challenging exercise for young adults and fit older adults. And it can be adapted again into something easier as age creeps up. If you want something that really lasts, walking is a great place to start.
It’s Easy to Do in a Group
Exercise is a lot easier in a group. But when an exercise is so difficult that sweat is pouring and you can’t talk or breathe, the group doesn’t matter much. If you’re a fan of working out with friends, walking is a great first step. Most everyone in the group will be able to do it, and you can still hold a conversation to keep fitness more fun.
It Feels Good
While it might hurt at first -- especially if you’re incredibly out of shape -- walking will eventually feel really good. It allows the lungs to breathe more deeply, encourages muscle stretching and movement, and gets your adrenaline pumping. Walking is a great way to keep the body in shape, but in doing so, you’ll probably boost your mood and feel more stable as well.
Walking is such a great exercise, and it’s not only for beginners! While it can certainly be used as a transition into something more difficult, it can also be a staple workout from now long into the future. Get some supportive shoes and a playlist, and enjoy some time working out with a nice, soothing walk.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Charlotte, N.C.