Walking is one of the easiest, most accessible, and one of the most enjoyable forms of exercise. As long as one has the means to walk, one can participate in walking as an exercise. One of the more unfortunate parts about certain sports is that some people simply can’t participate due to a lack of equipment. For example, in bodybuilding, if one were to try barbell rows without lifting straps, their back day may not go as well as someone who did have the straps. However, with walking, one can simply stand up and begin the exercise. This great accessibility allows for an extremely low-skill floor. Additionally, walking is great for the heart, along with decreasing the likelihood of certain conditions and diseases.
The Most Accessible Exercise
Walking is the single most accessible exercise. Most people don’t like exercising in general because it makes them uncomfortable. However, walking can be a great first step towards a more active lifestyle. What this means is that, essentially, there is no barrier to fitness and health. As long as one has the means to walk, one can exercise to their heart’s content. This is why walking is typically quite popular with elders. A man over the age of 65 probably shouldn’t be attempting a 400 lb squat unless that man is Tom Platz. Walking doesn’t require years of experience in bodybuilding and fitness. Walking doesn’t require a David Goggins-like mindset. Furthermore, walking is one of the most beginner-friendly, easy-access exercises of all time. There isn’t any special form or any progressive overload scheme or anything like that. It is simply walking for maybe 10 to 30 minutes a day.
Cardio Gains
Walking is a common form of cardio training. Cardio refers to the cardiovascular system and the exercises that improve this system. The Cardiovascular system includes the heart and blood vessels. When walking, the heart needs to pump blood faster to the lungs and other places that need oxygen. What this means is that the more one walks, the stronger and healthier the heart becomes. A healthy heart has a lower likelihood of a heart attack or a blood clot or other heart-related conditions “We showed that every increase of steps by 1000 steps/day is associated with a 15% reduction in the risk of dying from any cause and every increase by 500 steps/day is associated with a 7% reduction in dying from cardiovascular disease” according to CNN.
Greater Freedoms
An active lifestyle full of walking and exercise can lead to greater freedom of expression and a higher quality of life. No parent wants to feel like they can’t play with their child because they can’t keep up. Furthermore, one may gain a sense of self-respect and confidence through progression in exercise. Being able to say that one walks every day for a certain amount of time may be a great source of pride and confidence. Beyond this, one has more options with the things they can do in life. If at any point, someone asks to go on a walk, a person that walks every day would be totally fine with that. Imagine one could never do anything physically active with friends and family. Excluding physical activity from one’s life is like saying that one is content with not being able to participate in certain activities like teaching their son how to catch. Everyone needs exercise, but exercise doesn’t have to be hard and intense. Sometimes all it takes is a walk in a park to save a life.
Written by Kenneth Mazerat
Sources
CNN: As few as 4,000 steps a day can reduce your risk of death, but more is better by By
Barbend: Tom “The Quad Father” Platz Turns 62 And Is Still Squatting Big Weight by Jake Boly
Better Health: Walking for good health
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Steven Pisano’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
First Inset Image Courtesy of Peter Mooney’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
