Want to take up a sport without risking yourself harm? Try active walking! Walking is a simple and very effective physical activity once you learn to increase your pace. A sport which is rapidly growing in popularity, active walking is gentle, complete and easy to insert into our tight schedules.
Top 5 good reasons to try active walking!
"Active walking tones up my body gently"
Taking up physical activity after a long break is never easy: lack of breath, loss of flexibility, fear of injury… You need not be concerned with active walking, because the specific bonus of this activity is taking care of your body.
During an active walking session, you should walk rolling the foot from the heel to the toes: your body is therefore always in contact with the ground. You are not jumping or bouncing, unlike when running. You therefore avoid the sharp impact with the ground which can strain your joints or you back.
Risk of injury is therefore limited without diminishing your physical effort.
"Active walking tones my figure"
By walking rapidly, you increase your heart rate and consume more calories: around 300 to 500 calories burned per hour.
Active walking also leads you to swing your arms as you walk meaning that most of your muscles are working while you practise. You will also tone up your legs and work the muscles in your arms, shoulders and back helping to sculpt your whole figure.
Another appreciable side-effect: practised regularly, active walking significantly reduces cellulite!
"Daily physical activity is good for my health!"
Walking regularly improves your health. The benefits of active walking are the same as for an endurance sport: you will improve your blood circulation, maintain your flexibility and your heart will become healthier.
Walk for 30 minutes more each day and you will feel the difference!
Active walking outdoors helps to clear the head and release pressure. You can practise it anywhere: in a park, a forest, along an embankment, etc - it is best to practise in a motivating environment which will clear away the cobwebs from both lungs and mind.
Active walking is a gentle sport, you can share it with your friends and family and walk at a rhythm adapted to your physical fitness level. In well-being mode, adopt a walking speed of 4 to 6 km per hour, or in performance mode, walk at between 7 and 9 km per hour. At these speeds we're talking about active walking or Nordic walking.
You can even adapt your walking speed according to your mood on a particular day!
"Active walking gets me back to fitness easily"
All sports help you to get away from it all, release pressure and clear your head. Fitness walking is no exception. It is mainly done outside, which enhances the feeling of well-being. You can also do it alone or with others to share the fun and have a chat.
To start you off with active walking, there is no need to buy expensive equipment. You can simply invest in walking sports shoes and a breathable sports outfit to start with.
Your terrain: city or countryside are available at any time!
Are you ready and equipped? Now you just need to start off with the simple movements of active walking to discover the pleasures and benefits that await you with this popular sport!
Sport is good for your health, as you already know. But did you know that practising physical activity also boosts your mood? Discover the stress-busting effects of active walking. Now is the perfect time to take a second look at this most comprehensive of sports!