There May Be Gold in the Hills

By Tom Herrin

Working out is a little like shopping for a car.  A person can spend a lot of time going from place to place before they make their purchase, or they can do a little investigating ahead of time and go get what meets their needs.  How is that like a workout? People can spend long periods of time exercising only to have the same results that someone may have with a much shorter workout. It is true that there are all kinds and degrees of activities.  For those with extremely packed schedules, it is possible to get in a good workout in less time when needed. If time is a crunch, there is no need to despair. Walking up hills can provide good results in a short period of time.

It Can Burn Difficult Fat

Many people struggle with attempting to burn fat.  One of the best ways is to vary the activity so that the body is frequently shifting gears.  In other words, it can keep it from hitting a plateau in a workout. When people walk up hills, they will also walk down hills.  This can create one degree of work going up and a different kind when walking down. Even walking up and down the same hills can do the job.

It May Save Joints

As people age, those joints that take a lot of wear, such as the knees or ankles, can begin to cause problems.  Walking up hills can help to strengthen muscles that support those joints. Since it is also considered a weight-bearing exercise, it can help to improve bone mass.  Protecting bones and joints is a big big part of building better overall health. This low impact exercise is a natural for those who are beginning to be concerned about a little aging.

It Is Very Time Efficient

I have always tried to exercise in some way or another.  My shortfall at times was getting in late and feeling as if I couldn’t get enough done in the time I had available.  It was quite a while before I bought into the idea that something was better than nothing. When you walk up hills, you can have the best of both.  It can save time and still produce an effective workout. I can get as much good out of 15 or 20 minutes of walking up hills as I can in 30 minutes or more of a traditional workout.  While I still enjoy a full workout, when time is short, I feel like I can get a decent workout. If you are short on time, try walking up hills. There are all kinds of small hills around.  They don’t have to be big.

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Irving, Tex.