Can a person stay healthy and physically fit just by walking?

1. 90

   Mrs. Menagerieposted 12 years ago

   Can a person stay healthy and physically fit just by walking?
   
   

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2. 73

   ithabiseposted 12 years ago

   Walking is a good exercise to support fitness and health. So, yes, but the mere stroll isn't going to cut it. A person needs to be progressive and push themselves to an aerobic level for a sustained amount of time to expand cardiovascular fitness. The harder it gets the easier it will become--and, voila!, fitness occurs.

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3. 61

   rameshbashyamposted 12 years ago

   Not just by walking alone. Following good food habits, sleeping regularly, not getting stressed.

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4. 60

   Teylinaposted 12 years ago

   Nope, walking alone isn't the answer, BUT if is the only thing to get one started, then by all means, go for it. Even short, walks w/baby steps and support is better than none, and it leads to longer, no support, walks, which in turn help give one more strength and the will to follow thru w/other things! The first step is always the most difficult!

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5. 60

   Dubuquedogtrainerposted 11 years ago

   Yes, walking is a great overall exercise to maintain muscle tone and cardiovascular fitness.

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6. 67

   Larry Fieldsposted 8 years ago

   Physically fit for what? That depends on your individual needs. Yes, brisk walking promotes cardiovascular fitness.
   
   But what if you're a world class golfer? Then you may need to add specific strength training exercises for the pectorals, obliques, deltoids, and abs.
   
   About optimal health . . . Recent research suggests that people with large thighs live longer than people with skinny thighs. Why is that? I'll go out on a limb here, and say that it's because of more lean muscle mass in the quadriceps muscles.
   
   If so, brisk walking -- on level ground -- is not adequate for optimal health. This particular aerobic exercise does not do very much for the quads. If optimal health is your goal, then you may need to add something to strengthen the quads.
   
   I do the difficult version of proper-form Bulgarian squats. I am not suggesting that you should follow suit.
   
   You may choose to do brisk walking one day, and serious bicycling the next day. You'll be getting cardio on both days. On walking days, you'll do a good job of exercising the calves, butt muscles, and hip flexors. On bicycle days, you'll do a good job of working the quadriceps muscles.

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