Walking is exercise, just like racewalking is a sport. It can get your heart rate up and count as physical activity. However, if walking is your only form of exercise, you might be missing out on other fitness benefits. While walking is accessible and beneficial, experts recommend incorporating other types of exercise for optimal health. Personal trainer and holistic health coach Bradee Felton suggests adding resistance training two to three times a week to maintain muscle mass and support metabolism.
Incorporating resistance training alongside walking can help prevent muscle mass loss, which can lead to a slower metabolism, lower bone density, decreased strength, and faster aging. Walking and resistance training provide different stimuli to the body, so it’s important to do both for overall health and well-being. While walking increases non-exercise energy expenditure, it doesn’t build muscle mass like lifting weights does. By combining walking with resistance training, you can achieve a more comprehensive fitness routine that supports strength, metabolism, and long-term health.
Beyond daily or weekly walks, adding resistance training to your routine can help maintain muscle mass, support metabolism, and improve overall well-being. Felton recommends incorporating resistance training two to three times a week to balance out the cardiovascular benefits of walking with muscle-strengthening exercises. This comprehensive approach to exercise can help prevent muscle mass loss, which is essential for metabolic health and overall strength as you age.
Walking alone may not be enough to fully support strength, metabolism, and long-term health. While walking is a beneficial form of exercise, it’s important to incorporate other types of fitness, such as resistance training, to achieve a well-rounded fitness routine. By combining walking with resistance training, you can ensure that you are supporting your body in various ways, from cardiovascular health to muscle strength and metabolism. Prioritizing a diverse range of exercises can help you maintain overall health and well-being as you age.
