Walking For Cardiovascular Health And Fitness
One of the ways that walking can help you lose weight is that your metabolism stays high for up to 2 to 3 hours after your workout. Additionally, it also helps to redistribute stored fat to your muscles, giving you a well-toned physique when performed on a regular basis.
Moreover, even if you are not concerned about losing weight, walking helps you to keep your heart and lungs strong and healthy, giving you more stamina for your activities.
Another benefit of walking is that the stress it places on your joints and bones helps to strengthen them against breaks, fractures and osteoporosis.
Although walking is one of the easiest forms of exercise to engage in, there are a few things you should keep in mind before engaging in a walking program.
Watch Your Form
One thing that you need to keep in mind as you walk for fitness is to watch your form. To get the most from your walk, it's important to keep your feet hip length apart, your toes pointed forward and your arms bent at the elbows and close to your side. Additionally, you should keep your stomach pulled in and your back straight. As you walk, plant your heels on the ground and then roll to the balls of your feet and push off with your toes. By keeping the proper form as you walk you will ensure that you get the most benefit out of your walk and the best possible workout.
Vary Your Routine
Also important to any walking program that you engage in, is varying your routine each time you workout. If you walk at the same pace for the same amount of time each and every session, your body will eventually get used to the routine and your exercise will not be as effective. To challenge your body, try to vary your routine. For example, try mixing up your routine with short bursts of fast walking, jogging and normal walking; another way to vary your routine is to carry small weights in your hands as you walk. You could also wear leg or ankle weights as you walk or jog. All of these ways of varying your routine will help to keep your body from getting used to your workout and keep you challenged.
The Right Foot Gear
Last, but not least, before you engage in a walking program, be sure you wear the right foot gear. The comfort of your feet is of utmost importance when you are walking. Make sure that your foot gear has a good, supportive arch to avoid any foot pain or injuries during or after your walk. Additionally, your shoes should hug your feet without feeling too snug or tight. If you are unsure about what kind of walking shoes to use during your walks, check out a store which is geared towards athletes or sports. There, you will be able to find a number of athletic shoes for a variety of sports. A knowledgeable salesperson should be able to explain the differences between the various types of sports shoes and tell you which one is the best for you.
Related Tags: fitness, weight loss, exercise, walking, health and fitness
If you are taking your walking program seriously, make sure to check out the top weightloss site fitness calculators, fitness tips and fitness news at http://www.the-weightloss-guide.com right away.
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- 3 Day Diet Reviews Forthright Opinion About The Program
Are you considering going on the 3 day diet? Reviews are hard to come by, but I'm going to give you - 3 Day Chemical Breakdown Diet What It Is And Is Not
The 3 Day Chemical Breakdown Diet has been called by many other names such as the 3 day heart diet, - The Biggest Lose Weight Program At Jillian Michaels
Although it seems almost unimaginable, nearly incomprehensible, a few people in the United States do - Essential Marathon Accessories
Short distance runners have an idea of what their essential kit is - trainers, shorts and a vest. A - Maintaining Health And Fitness With Exercise And Nutrition
Nowadays remaining fit and healthy has become very important. We all lead such a fast-paced life tha - Flatten Your Stomach Exercising Just Minutes A Day!
Are you missing the flat, six-pack tummy that you had 10 years ago? Or have you been fighting the ba - Get Rid Of Cellulite With Exercises
Cellulite is a common condition in women; it is not a result of being fat or overweight. Cellulite o - Why Do I Need A Personal Trainer? (part 2)
Following on from points one to five, we continue to look at why hiring a personal trainer could tra - Why Do I Need A Personal Trainer? (part 1)
Anything in life worth having takes effort and when it comes to getting the body you want, never has - How Do I Choose The Best Whey Isolate Easily Guide
As the owner of a supplement company, I get many questions about what makes our Whey isolate better
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Can A Treadmill Supercharge Your Life?
You know it. That person staring at you in the mirror knows it. You need to lose weight. But with - Training with Free Weights Will Not Get You Toned
Oh, and Santa Claus DOES exist.Well, it's safe to say both statements above are false.One of the mos - The Secrets of a Killer Ab Workout
Out of all the body parts that you can exercise, your abs are one of the most important muscle group - When Should I Do My Cardio, Before or After Strength Training?
Friends I actually stumbled on the answer to this in a very interesting, yet eye-opening way.See her - So How Can I Really Get Ripped Abs?
Next to the 'bi's' and 'tri's' in the arms, the next region that almost every body in the gym may se - A Good Exercise Routine Is Vital To Your Fitness Quest
At the beginning of every New Year, the local Leisure Centers, Sports Clubs, Gymnasiums, etc etc, ar - I'm New at Working Out with Weights, Any Suggestions?
The popularity and importance of strength training is becoming more and pronounced wherever the issu - Choosing the Correct Home Exercise Equipment
Exercise schedules should include three parts: Strength training, aerobic exercise, and flexibility - Tips and Tricks on How to Exercise
Everyone knows that exercise is necessary for better health and a better sense of well-being. Howeve - Hey, Some Teenagers Would Like to Pump Iron too
The average male, even from childhood, instinctively knows that perhaps very little else attracts th