Walking is a weight-bearing activity, which makes it good for bone health. However, what if you could increase the bone-building benefits of walking and turn your daily stroll into something more interesting and beneficial for your body? Try the following suggestions to make your walking routine more effective, more challenging and fun!
Varying the speed at which you walk will increase your heart rate and work your leg muscles more than when you walk at a leisurely pace.
Navigating inclines and declines strengthen the muscles in your legs and hips. You will also find that your heart rate will increase as you challenge the large muscle groups in your lower body.
By walking on uneven surfaces or walking diagonally you can create increased work for your muscles by adding a multi-directional component to your activity. This can have more of an impact on muscle and bones than walking straight or on flat ground.
Adding intermittent squats, lunges, or hops to your walk can work muscle strengthening into your walking routine.