Back in my younger days, I was an avid runner. Running track and cross country. I even joined 5k mud runs or color runs for great causes. These days, however, all that high-impact running has taken a toll on my knees. This is why I love power walking!
Here are some of the benefits.
Power walking, or speed walking, is more than just a brisk walk. When power walking, you walk at a speed at the upper end of the natural pace for walking. A normal walking pace for most is 3 mph, so for power walking, aim for anywhere between 4 to 5.5 mph.
Power walking requires that you have at least one foot in contact with the ground at all times. This means that if you are standing still, you will not be able to walk at a normal pace.
During power or speed walking, your heart rate increases. The number of calories burned by power walking can be the same as running without all the high impact on your joints!
Power Walking vs. Running
Running can provide you with many health benefits, and it is one of the cheapest ways to exercise compared to other types of workouts. Its intensity promotes fitness and efficiently burns more calories than other activities. However, running is a high-impact exercise that can frequently lead to injuries if you’re not careful, and it won’t do much in developing your upper body.
Runners can be at a particular disadvantage because they can develop numerous injuries quickly from all the impacts on their feet, knees, ankles, and other joints, such as:
Shin splints
Plantar fasciitis
Stress fractures
Achilles tendonitis
Power Walking vs. Jogging
Power walking or speed walking, on the other hand, is different from running, jogging, or traditional walking because of its increased intensity emanating from arms movement, longer strides, and a faster pace. This allows you to get all the benefits of running without the abovementioned disadvantages.
Hidden Benefits of Power Walking
It’s just so amazing that power walking is a form of exercise that requires no expensive equipment, no special athletic ability, no apps or technology, and no gym membership.
Power walking can be done in any open area, and it’s easy to do. Let’s take a look at why you should start power walking now.
1. Improved Cardiovascular Health
Power walkers have increased heart rates, especially when done at a moderate to high-intensity level. Exercise that boosts your heart rate is excellent for combatting heart disease and other chronic illnesses such as diabetes and cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, a new observational study shows that taking more steps each day – even if you walk at a regular pace – is linked with living longer.
Power walking puts a higher demand on your cardiovascular system because it requires more steps per minute and more involvement from your major muscle groups.
If you are new to working out, starting with a regular walk can help ease into a new routine. Walking at any pace will still help you burn calories and improve your cardiovascular fitness, and when you are ready, you can increase your pace to power walking levels.