When it comes to exercising and losing weight, walking is one of the best-kept secrets. This simple activity can have a significant impact on your body without being too strenuous. It’s easy to transform a regular walk around the neighborhood into a full-body workout. Here are five ways to take your walking to the next level.
Pick Up The Pace
The easiest way to get more from your walking is to walk faster. If you pick up the pace even just a little bit, your body will work harder, sweat more, and burn more calories. Every ten minutes or so, try to pick up the pace while also staying comfortable in your stride.
Walk Further
This is another straightforward way to benefit more from walking. Each day, walk just a little bit further than the day before. Over time these extra steps will really add up and help you shed unwanted pounds and tone your legs and core.
Find An Incline
Keep an eye out on your walking route for opportunities to walk on an incline. You might have to go off-roading for this, but it will be worth it! An incline makes your leg and core muscles work harder. Climbing uphill once every walk will start to make a difference over time in your stamina, muscles, and body.
Bring Weights
You can also enhance your walking routine by bringing along hand weights or wearing ankle weights. Even just a few extra pounds will force your muscles to work harder. It’s incredible how quickly you will forget you’re wearing ankle weights and just begin to reap the benefits. And when you are carrying hand weights, you’ll likely find yourself doing curls or arm raises without much thought.
Add Quick Exercises
If you find yourself getting bored while you walk, add some exercises to keep it exciting and get a better workout for your whole body. Come up with a plan so that you stop to squat, do push-ups, or plank at designated times throughout your walk.
If you enjoy walking, take advantage of this exercise by turning it into a full-body workout. Any or all of these five strategies will help you get more out of this activity, and you will see the results in the mirror!
