Power walking is a wonderful way to keep fit, enjoy nature, make friends and exercise your dog.
What is Power Walking?
Put simply, power walking is walking at a faster-than-average speed. It is a low-impact form of aerobic exercise that strengthens your whole body and improves general fitness levels. As a guide, most power walkers walk between seven and nine km per hour. It is distinct from jogging as the feet are always in touch with the ground; walking also has the advantage that it puts less pressure on the knees than jogging.
The Technique of Power Walking
When most of us want to increase our walking speed, we tend to take bigger and/or faster strides. With power walking, the ‘power’ comes from your arms – it’s amazing what difference it makes pumping your arms as you walk – try it and see! Then it’s bum in, shoulders back and feet moving heel to toe – all a perfectly natural way to walk, but many of us have acquired poor walking habits through our normal sedentary life. As a fitness regime, aim for 30 minutes of brisk walking on about five days per week. The power walking website even gives a calorie burning guide so you can work out how you’re doing. (You’ll burn twice as many calories as a normal walking pace does).
Why Power Walking Beats Going to the Gym:
- It's much cheaper - in fact, it's free!
- It requires no special equipment or clothing – just a good pair of walking shoes
- It doesn't hurt!
- You can't take your dog to the gym
- You don't get heaps of fresh air in the gym
- You can get to know new places by choosing different places to walk
Walking also gives you a feast for the senses - smell the fresh leaves and flowers, feel the breeze against your face, hear the birds and appreciate the wonder of nature all around you.
Seven Health Benefits of Power Walking:
- It tones and strengthens muscles
- It builds stronger bones
- It burns calories and thus helps achieve maintain a healthy weight
- It gives you a moderate cardiovascular workout
- It boosts the immune system
- It improves sleep patterns
- It makes you feel great
You can build your walking in to everyday life by power walking with your dog, with the children to and from school and whilst on local errands such as posting a letter or visiting a friend; in this way power walking can save you your bus fare or petrol money, and helps the environment too.
You can either power walk individually, with friends or join a local club (if there isn’t one, start one!). So keep fit, embrace the elements and socialise – get power walking!
Join the Conversation