Are you one of the many people who would like to take more exercise but just never seem to get around to it? There are plenty of reasons why this might be the case. Not enough hours in the day, lack of energy after a long day at work, lack of equipment – the list goes on. Consider also that monthly membership fees are expensive, and it’s not surprising that a lot of people exercise a lot less than they might wish to.
What if there was a way to exercise that didn’t need any special equipment, was easy to do and which didn’t need you to get all hot, sweaty and out of breath? It would probably be a lot easier to get yourself motivated to take exercise on a more regular basis. If it was also a form of exercise that could be performed whenever it was best for you, then that would be even better.
The good news is that this form of exercise does exist – walking. It’s something that we all do every day. There’s no need for special equipment, training or expertise – all you need is a comfortable pair of shoes and you’re all set. It’s also a very cost effective way to exercise – there are no expensive monthly gym membership fees to pay, and you can fit it into your daily routine whenever it suits you best.
The possible health benefits available as a result of walking on a regular basis read like the product description of the latest wonder drug. Walking can help to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke whilst increasing lung capacity. It can help you to sleep better and even helps to fight depression. It can lower the probability of contracting certain forms of cancer. It will boost your energy levels and leave you feeling less fatigued throughout the day. Recent research conducted in the UK suggests that it might even be effective in combating Alzheimer’s disease. It helps to build muscle, increase bone density and shed pounds.
The majority of health professionals recommend a target of 10,000 steps daily in order to obtain the numerous health benefits achievable. That’s roughly four and a half to five miles for someone with an average stride length.
It sounds like a fair old distance – but you might be pleasantly surprised at just how easy it is to achieve. Walk to work and leave the car in the garage from time to time. Get off the bus a couple of stops before your final destination and walk the rest of the way. Climbing the stairs instead of taking the lift will help. If you do take the car then just park it in a corner of the parking lot that’s well away from the entrance so that you have a greater distance to walk. There are any number of ways to get to the 10,000 step figure. It soon builds up.
If you are fitting walking into your day in small sections, as described above, then using an Omron pedometer is an excellent way to keep track of your progress. This will record and display your results in terms of the distance covered, the number of steps taken orthe number of calories burned. It’s a good way to keep motivated.
A further way to make use of technology to increase the effectiveness of your workout is to use the latest design of exercise footwear. Footwear manufacturers such as Skechers Shape Ups, Masai Barefoot Technology, Skechers Shapeups, Fit flops sandals and, most recently, Reeboks Easy Tones, all make use of scientifically shaped soles which increase the amount of work carried out by your lower body muscles. The net effect is that your workout will be more productive and you will get better results for the same effort.
Be sensible and start off slowly at first. If you have any medical conditions, if you’re over forty years of age, or if you just haven’t taken regular exercise for a while, then you would be well advised to get your doctor’s opinion prior to embarking upon any new exercise program. However, walking is a low impact, low injury risk form of exercise which, as previously discussed, offers many potential health benefits if carried out on a regular basis. You will be very happy at just how rapidly you are able to both see and feel the benefits.