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There are many good cardiovascular exercises out there to do. Walking is one of the best, and here’s why you need to do it. People who lack exercise are also prone to vascular conditions like varicose veins or venous ulcers so it is advised that they seek vein disease treatment immediately.
A lot of people believe that running is one of the best cardiovascular exercises* that you can do. The truth is running isn’t going to help you lose weight. Not in the way that you think it will. It can also lead to injury.
Walking is actually the best thing that you can do. Yes, you’ll want to pick up the pace. This isn’t about grabbing a coffee and having a stroll with friends. However, this is a good way to start walking. Here’s why it’s so great, and why you should do it.
It’s one of the beginner-friendly cardiovascular exercises
A lot of people fear running because it seems so hard. The truth is you need to build up to it. This is how all the best runners have got to the point where they can run for miles. They didn’t just start running at that pace!
Start by walking. It’s beginner-friendly because it doesn’t need any special equipment. You need a good pair of shoes and some comfortable clothing, and that’s about it. This is easy to get into your regular routine. Start with 30 minutes on your lunch break, and you’ll soon find that you’re walking farther and longer.
You gain the same health benefits as running
Don’t worry about upping the pace to running. You do want to get to a point where your heart rate is up, but you don’t need to pound the pavement for that. When you up your heart rate*, you gain all the same cardiovascular benefits that you’d get from running.
Walking helps to improve circulation. You’ll increase your lung capacity, and you’ll lower your blood pressure.
It’s even good for reducing your weight. You’ll get to a good fat-burning zone, which is a great way to drop the fat. You’ll need to add a healthy diet into this, though.
MORE: 5 reasons to work out in the evening
You protect your joints
A lot of cardio can end up causing problems for your joints. That’s especially the case with running. The constant hit of the feet on the pavement sends shockwaves up your legs, causing leg, knee, and hip problems. You want to avoid that.
Walking doesn’t have the same impact as running. You can keep the pressure on the joints lower, which reduces the damage that happens.
If you are struggling to walk on the pavement, try on the grass at first. Or you can go to a beach or to a pool to walk in there. You’ll be amazed at the workout you get walking in water, and it’s so good for the joints.
Do your cardiovascular exercises in the outdoors
There are also major mental health benefits to walking. You can get out into nature and enjoy the space around you. When you’re running, you tend to focus on your breathing. You just want to get to the end, which means you can appreciate the world around you as much.
While walking at a higher pace*, you will still get out of breath. It’s just not as much as running. The mind won’t focus as much on how hard it is, and you can to enjoy nature. You’ll take in the wildlife in their habitats, and you’ll be able to enjoy views.
If you do need to stick to the local neighborhood, put on a podcast or audiobook to listen to. You’ll find that this is so much more enjoyable than being stuck in a gym! Your mind is working at the same time as your body.
MORE: Why you should start your day with exercise
Do you walk to improve your health? Which cardiovascular exercises do you prefer doing? Share in the comments below.
