I rarely walk or Run

How often do you walk or run?

In my opinion Walking is just an activity and not the real exercise. Hence I walk rarely, only my wife requests me to join her for a walk, I join her for walking. It’s a great time together for light discussion and talks ( I only listen to what she says and nod my head ) 😊

I have tried many forms of exercise and finally hooked on to Cycling and Gymming. I enjoy cycling as well as Gymming. More than anything else I have studied the scientific ways to burn calories and realised that any cardiovascular activity should raise your heart rate to the highest level but within the safe limits. Walking does not raise your heart rate to the level of calories burning and therefore it does not qualify as a cardiovascular exercise.

In my case the calorie burning is given below :

Cycling : 550 – 600 calories

Gym workout : 400 – 450 calories

Walking : 125 – 150 calories

In view of the above , I chose to cycle and Gym workout as a regular exercise routine. This has helped me immensely with my fitness levels.

Let us understand the walking as an activity :

Walking – Low Intensity Low Impact

Walking is, by its very nature is Low intensity and low impact. It does not increase the heart rate significantly ( unless performed briskly or uphill ) , and for many people it doesn’t challenge the body in the same way as structured exercise routines.

Compared to running, cycling or weightlifting, or even swimming, walking does not stimulate the same level of cardiovascular or muscular demand. This is why some fitness experts say :

Walking is a good start , but it’s not enough if you’re aiming for real fitness.

The Exercise illusion

Some critics of modern health trend suggest that labelling walking as an exercise may create a “false sense of accomplishment” . A casual 10 minute stroll might feel good , but does it substitute for the physical benefits of structured workouts?

When people rely upon walking alone and avoid more vigorous activities, it can create a complacency trap – believing they are exercising simply because they are not sitting. In this sense walking can become a comfort zone , not a catalyst for growth.

Conclusion

To conclude, walking is beneficial. It reduces sedentary time, improves mood, supports joint mobility and can serve as a gateway to a more active life. But for people aiming to build real fitness, improve performance or significantly change body composition, walking alone may fall short.

Thank you readers for stopping by

Stay happy and keep smiling 😊