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Walking is one of the simplest forms of physical activity and an excellent way to boost your fitness and overall health. Brisk walking is a type of walking that involves a faster pace than normal walking, and it can be done anywhere, anytime, without the need for any special equipment. Walking and brisk walking are also considered a form of cardio exercise.
In this blog, we will discuss what brisk walking is, how to do it, and the many health benefits associated with it.
What is Brisk Walking?
Brisk walking, meaning a type of physical activity that involves walking at a faster pace than usual. It is sometimes called power walking or speed walking. Brisk walking is not jogging or running, but it is faster than normal walking.
When you brisk walk, your heart rate increases, and you may start to breathe slightly harder than normal. Although brisk walking may not be as intense as running, it still works up many muscles and is helpful in improving your overall health and fitness.
How to Do Brisk Walking?
Brisk walking is a simple activity that can be done by anyone, anywhere. To get started with brisk walking, all you need is a comfortable pair of shoes and some space to walk. Here are some tips for brisk walking:
- Warm-up: Start with a slow and steady walk for about 5-10 minutes to warm up your muscles.
- Increase Pace: Gradually increase your pace and try to walk at a speed that makes you breathe harder but still allows you to carry on a conversation.
- Maintain Posture: Keep your head up, shoulders back, and arms swinging naturally.
- Duration: Aim for at least 30 minutes of brisk walking per day.
- Cool-down: End your brisk walking session with a slow walk for about 5-10 minutes to cool down your muscles.
Benefits of Brisk Walking
Like any exercise, brisk walking also has plenty of excellent benefits.
Burn Calories
Brisk walking is a type of cardio exercise that can burn up to 300 calories per hour, making it an effective way to manage weight. There’s a misconception that mere walking cannot help you burn fat. But that is not true. Brisk walking has enough intensity to burn fats and help you lose weight.
Boosts Cardiovascular Health
Brisk walking is a great way to improve your heart health, reduce your risk of heart disease, and lower your blood pressure. It also boosts the efficiency of your cardiovascular system.
Strengthens Muscles
Brisk walking works up the muscles of your legs and abdomen, toning them up and improving their strength.
Relieves Stress
Brisk walking, like any other exercise, releases natural mood-boosting hormones called endorphins that can help reduce stress and anxiety. Even a short brisk-walking session can alleviate your mood and make you feel positive.
It’s a Low-Impact Exercise
Brisk walking, unlike running, is a low-impact exercise that is easy on your joints. This makes it an excellent exercise for older individuals with weaker joints.
Where Can You Do Brisk Walking?
The biggest advantage of brisk walking is that it can be done anywhere you want, at home, in the open, at the fitness center, you name it. All you need is some space. You can pace around your house for 30 minutes, or go for a short walk in the vicinity. Brisk walking when getting your groceries is also another great way to get exercise while you also finish your chores.
Brisk Walking at the Gym
It’s not necessary that you do your brisk walk outside the gym. You can practice brisk walking on the treadmill at gyms or fitness studios near you as well. Set the treadmill to a slow speed (about 3.5 MPH) and start your brisk walk. You can adjust the speed to match your stride.
Brisk walking on the treadmill is a great way to warm up your body before you proceed to a full-blooded run. It’s also an excellent idea to brisk walk on the treadmill if you’re not feeling up to the task of an intense run or workout.
It's better to incorporate brisk walking into your workout routine, or you can simply go out in the park and start with your brisk walking session. Keep a count of your daily steps with the FITPASS app where you get an in-built feature of a step tracker along with other fitness solutions for your daily health & lifestyle. Download the FITPASS app and accomplish your fitness goals right now.
