14 Ways to Make Your Daily Walk Feel More Like a Walking Workout
During the last few months, many of us have added a daily walk to our regular routine. But did you know you can turn it into a walking workout too?
Even though many of us have fewer places to go during this COVID-19 pandemic, walking just for the sake of getting out of the house and getting in a bit of movement has become a go-to activity for lots of people.. At the right doses, walking can relieve the stay-at-home itch, offer appropriately distanced opportunities for a change of scenery, and bring structure to often shapeless days.
Taking a walk is also a good way to get some exercise. And while it’s perfectly fine to keep them easy and ambling, especially if they’re primarily for fresh air or mental-health purposes, there are also plenty of ways to make them hard enough that it will feel like a moderate to intense workout. That’s key: Many of us—especially those who depended on classes like indoor cycling—are lacking cardio options since many gyms remain closed (and if yours is open, you might not feel safe going back to it just yet).
Making the shift starts with intention. “Understand the difference between a leisure walk and a fitness walk,” Jayel Lewis, a certified international personal trainer and business coach in Philadelphia, tells SELF. “If you are going to walk for a workout, identify that before you go, and set yourself up for success prior to leaving.”
In other words, decide in advance that you’re walking with the goal of getting your heart rate up or building some strength and endurance. Block out a walking workout on your calendar just like you would a studio or Zoom class, she says. Then, make a plan for exactly how you’re going to execute it. Here are a few options to consider if you’re looking to turn a walk into a walking workout.
