What is brisk walking? Known as ‘fitness walking’ or ‘power walking’, it’s basically walking at a pace faster than your normal walking speed.
When brisk walking, you should aim to walk at a speed where you’re almost out of breath but you can still pretty much carry out a conversation with someone.
Brisk walking alone? Listen to some tunes and as you walk faster, try to still be able to sing along to the music you’re hearing.
Brisk Walking Features
- It’s perfect for beginners.
- It’s inexpensive.
- It fits ANY schedule.
- It can be done just about anywhere.
- It’s great to do with a fitness buddy; but it’s also perfect for some ‘ME’ time.
Brisk Walking – Getting Started…
- Be sure to wear good picking walking shoes. They should be comfortable, light, and flexible to give your feet the best support.
- Start with a 5-minute leisure walk to get the blood flowing and to warm up your muscles.
- Build your pace. Don’t brisk walk at ‘level 10’ right away. Start walking a bit faster until you get the hang of it, then go a bit faster again.
- Heel, ball, toe! Heel, ball, toe! Your brisk walking style should not be about lengthening your stride. It should be about quick heel-to-toe rolling steps. That is, land on your heel, ROLL through your instep, and then LIFT OFF from your toe.
- Look straight ahead.
- Swing your arms as you brisk walk.
- Engage your core. Don’t twist and turn as you walk. Pretend that your core is one big, stable, tree trunk 🙂
- Squeeze your butt muscles. Lose weight AND tighten your tush at the same time. Yey!
- Important: don’t forget to drink!
How to ‘Level Up’ Your Brisk Walking
- Walk for longer periods of time.
- Walk faster than the last time’s pace.
- Do intervals!
- Get a pedometer that will help you reach a daily target. Many watches and mobile phones already have this function.
Health Benefits from Walking
- Improved cardiovascular (hearth) and pulmonary (lung) fitness; reduced risk of hearth problems and stroke.
- Better balance.
- Stronger bones.
- Improved muscle strength and better endurance.
- Reduced body fat.
- Can help manage high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
- It makes you feel better, and helps improve your mood. It can even help prevent depression.