Health & Fitness Blog
5 Jun 2024
Get Walking!
May is National Walking Month in the UK, so there is no better time to get started and boost both your physical and mental health by increasing your daily step count! Walking for just 10 minutes each day has been shown to offer great health benefits and is recommended by the NHS.
But why walking?
There are lots of different types of exercise to choose from, and the most important thing to consider is what you can fit into your routine, and what you enjoy the most! Here are some reasons why walking can be a great choice:
If you are unsure about getting into contracts and paying any membership fees, then walking is a great option. Now is the perfect time of year, as walking in the sunshine and fresh air can improve your sleep quality and reduce any anxiety, as well as improving your fitness.
If you are struggling to commit to any exercise classes because of your busy lifestyle, then walking is perfect for you. It can be done anywhere, at any time. You can also incorporate it into your routine, for example, walking to the shop, or even just parking further away. If you prefer having more structure to your work out, then walking on a treadmill offers all of the same benefits while also allowing you to better track your progress and level of activity. Find your local LivingWell club here.
Walking is an easily accessible activity and can be adapted for anyone. Those who are fitter can walk for longer on steeper terrain, but those still working on their fitness can walk shorter distances on flatter surfaces. Walking can also be a great way to reconnect with friends and family – why not catch up with friends this summer over a walk.
Benefits of Walking:
As well as benefiting your mental health, walking can positively impact your physical health by:
Improving your heart and lung health and efficiency – as with any physical activity, the more regularly you do it, the fitter you will become and the easier you will find it. Make sure to keep your walks varied to continue to push yourself.
Strengthening your bones and improving your balance – as walking is a weight bearing activity, over time it will increase your bone strength, reducing your risk of osteoporosis. To push yourself further, why not try gradually introducing weights to your walks? If you’d like more tips on how to improve your fitness, speak to your LivingWell club team, who will be happy to help!
Increasing your muscular strength – even though walking offer a lower intensity work out, it can still help to build your muscular strength especially in your legs and core. This is essential to maintain, especially as we age, to ensure you can stay active for longer.
To compliment your walking, and to help your muscles recover, why not try a Yoga class at LivingWell Clubs? Find out more here.
