The first Friday in April is National Walk to Work Day. It may not give you the strength of weight training or the speed of running, but the power of walking should not be underestimated. It’s a great place to start on your fitness journey and an easy way to get your heart pumping.
Believe it or not walking has proper technique to maximize the health benefits.
- Keep your head up, looking forward
- Relax your neck, shoulders and back
- Swing your arms with a slight bend in your elbows or pump your arms
- Tighten your back muscles slightly and straighten your back
- Roll your foot from heel to toe
Regular walking helps you maintain a healthy weight, prevents or manages various conditions, strengthens bones and muscles, improves your mood AND your balance and coordination. A New England Journal of Medicine study established 30 minutes of walking a day lowered the risk of cardiovascular disease by 30% over those that did not walk.
The beautiful thing about walking is you can do it anywhere. If the weather is bad you can take it inside. We’ve all seen the ladies at the mall power walking. Grab your shoes and take a few laps while you window shop. Have a dog? Burn some of their energy and yours and take them out for a few blocks or on a pedestrian-friendly trail. Walking even gets your creative juices flowing. So if you’re in a rut, take a walk, you’ll feel so much better!