The Easiest Form of Exercise - Walking

We all know how vital exercise is to our health, and how it effects every area of our life…. maybe you’ve been thinking about it long enough and now, you’ve deicded you’re going to get out there and get exercising!

You don’t have a lot of time or lots of money -  so you decide to take up walking. It’s pretty easy to do (which is something you like – cause “who likes work hard anyway?”), but because of just that, you’re not too sure if walking will be enough.  Didn't you hear somewhere “you're supposed to sweat like a pig and hurt somewhere in order to get and keep fit”?

Well I’m excited to say “No”. The “no-pain no-gain” mantra of the past – is just that; a thing of the past. Interestingly enough, the saying originates from the military and high performance athletic coaches. It doesn’t (and never really did) make all that much sense for us, the average person.

The key to fitness success for the typical human being (not a professional athlete) is “to use as much of your body - as often as possible”. And the best part is you don’t have to sweat like a pig, pant like a dog or hurt somewhere in order to make it work – I say “Yah!” to that.

Our Cultural Inactivity

So if the solution is for us to be as active as possible, then why is it we are actually less active today, than we were 30 years ago? And sadly, we are in the worst shape we have ever been - North America is at epidemic proportions in cancer, diabetes, stroke, heart disease and obesity!

Not only is exercise at the top of the list to help prevent and even help cure the majority of today’s health challenges, but it’s vital in the overall health of the people in our generation and for those to come.

And with walking being one of the easiest forms of exercise that we can pretty much ‘all’ do – then why aren’t we doing it?

Walking Smarter With Poles

Walking is not only easy to do, but it is easy ON you, (especially when we use Poles – because they help us to lessen the impact with which we hit the ground, by 26%). As well, Walking Poles are inexpensive, you can do it when and wherever you like, and you don’t have to pay any monthly fees or worry about arranging your schedule around when the gym is open or when a class is on.

It’s still quite amazing though how many people don’t think of walking as exercise…but I’m very happy to say that it very much is!

It of course depends how vigorously you walk, whether or not you are on an incline, swinging or pumping your arms, or using Walking Poles. No matter what, walking is a wonderful, low impact sport that everyone can benefit from.

Taking Your Walk to the Next Level of a Workout

Taking a stroll on level ground at a low to moderate intensity, is still better than staying home watching television. And if you want to get more from your walk, swing or pump your arms while picking up the pace just slightly – this will increase your cardio-vascular benefits. Walking up an incline while swinging or pumping your arms will increase it even more. Ultimately, walking a combination of level ground and inclines at a more moderate intensity, (which means you should still be able to carry on a conversation and not be out of breath) while swinging or pumping your arms will benefit you the most.

Yet, if you want to take your walk to the next level and basically “turn a simple walk around the block into an efficient, effective, aerobic – total body workout”, you actually don’t have to go any faster or work any harder – you just have to add Walking Poles.

Walking Poles - The Solution for a Portable Fitness Program

When you walk (without Poles) you use less than 50% of your major muscles - basically you use your lower body to haul your upper body around. But by just adding Walking Poles, you will engage over 90% or your major muscles - putting your whole body to work (and in doing so, walking will actually seem easier to do while your benefits will be more)! I don’t know about you, but I like the sound of that!

Studies show that by adding Poles to your walk (and without walking any faster than regular walking), you will not only work muscles you didn’t know you had, but you will also increase your cardio by a minimum of 20% and increase your calorie burn by up to 48%.

Check out these Nordic Pole Walking techniques and How-To Videos!

For more information on the benefits of exercise and how it effects our health and fitness, and to learn about Pole Walking and The Pole Lady’s FREE on-line Pole Walking Clinics and e-newsletter visit www.keenfit.com or call 250-769-9241 or toll free 1-866-533-6348.