Fitness walking

Just thought I'd put a thread out here about WALKING for fitness.
So many running threads, but I simply can't run- it is way too hard on my knees and ankles which I sprained many times as a child.

I love to walk. I do a couple of brisk 3-4 mile walks every week on days when I am not biking. I have read about fitness walking techniques and have incorporated some of that into my walking technique. Not "race walking" mind you- fitness walking.

I have found that fitness walking really helps my hip joints and my knees more than biking does. I think that's because when you walk you extend your whole leg backwards behind you- something we don't do on our bikes- on bikes our hips are always bent a slight amount, and are never fully extended backwards.

I love to walk on days when the rainy weather is too "iffy" for biking, and in the snow too (when I'm not snowshoeing).

Anyone else here love walking? Do you have a favorite walking route from home or work?

Well, I walk our dog every day; does that count? This spring we noticed that he needed to lose a little weight, so we started walking him 1-2 miles twice a day, slowly at first, then as he got fitter, we picked up the pace. After several months of this, I've noticed that not only is Jack slimmer, my waistline is smaller! It has to be the walking because I haven't been running as much as I was last fall/winter, and I'm not riding any more than before. So, walking is good! :D It does seem to take away any soreness I might get from running/riding/lifting weights, and Jack loves it so much I don't have the heart to deny him, even at 5:30 a.m.!

KB

I hope to take up race walking! Since my body rejects running I have decided that I need to learn how to walk... fast. I am going to a clinic the first week in December to learn how to do it.

I can't say that I love walking... as I enjoy the challenge of running. I have kind of gotten use the misery of running... but I think race walking will provide me with the challenge I need.

I like walking too, although it's not a substitute for running. But I like getting out and stretching my legs and clearing my head now and again. I try to go for a little wander around the fields during lunch at work most days. And at home, I've got a nice little loop along a path around a little saltmarsh by the river. Probably not even a mile long, but enough to clear my head a bit when I've been studying for too long. I would love to get out for more strenous hikes more often, but unfortunately I live in the wrong part of the country for that. But maybe next year if all goes according to plan....

I love walking as well! One thing it does do for you that cycling doesn't is provide a weight-bearing method of exercise, which is great for your bones.

My workplace just moved to within 3 miles of my house, so lately I've been fond of the walk to and from work. We'll see how that goes, though the winter, however. I may shy away from the darkness, and choose to cycle-commute and shorten the trip by 25 minutes.

Yes, I am doing the brisk walking specifically to do weight bearing exercise. I don't want osteoporosis like my poor grandmother had so badly.
This morning I did a 4 mile walk on rolling terrain. I walk down to the village and then I have developed a 4 mile route all winding through the nice village streets and outskirts- around the schools, library, baseball park, down a wooded back road, back along Main Street and up the hill to home again. It's a pretty walk, and all paved.
Yesterday I biked 30 miles, but I have a mild head cold today and my ears are stuffed and achey...I hate biking like that, but walking seems to help my balloon head.

I love fitness walking in the winter in hiking boots and snow shoes. I have a favorite hike that goes straight up the mountain and back- (really steep) for about an hour to hour and 1/2 hike. It is a real work out especially if you push the pace

spoke

I have always loved walking. It seems to be one of the best ways to put things in perspective and improve my overall attitude. I'm finding it difficult these days to get my heartrate up enough by walking though so I've recently started jogging again which I am slowly getting better at although there are times when I also think that I am one of those people for whom running does not come that naturally. Has anyone tried "Nordic Walking" with the poles? That technique apparently really gives your upper body a workout as well. I've only heard about it but never actually seen anyone doing it. I have a great 3 mile walk/jog if I turn right out of our driveway that is a great combination of hills and flat terrain that I am very grateful for. I am much more likely to walk or jog during the winter than I am to bike because it is just too cold on a bike during the winter to be enjoyable at all.

I too have worked out a 3.6 mile walk route from my house that is not only pleasant and safe, but is rolling and flat terrain. A great walk for those days when i don't bike for one reason or another.

I think if you read up about the techniques of fitness walking (as opposed to just walking along casually) you will find you can increase the exertion level and also the upper body workout using those techniques. Of course I think Nordic pole walking is actually a higher upper body workout...but I find I get the workout I myself need by using the fitness walking techniques. You can use your arms more efficiently too.

When I just bike alone, my knees and hip joints are not as strong and flexible as when I alternate walking and biking. This is quite important to me at age 53!

About 1 1/2 miles from our house, DGF and I walk the 'girls'(the dogs, Kelly & Tosh) every Sunday. Its 3 1/2 miles long, its a hiking, biking, 2 track trail. One time we saw a deer run across the trail. Just wish it didn't get dark so early - I don't get home from work till 5:30pm.

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Originally Posted by Lisa S.H.

Just thought I'd put a thread out here about WALKING for fitness.
So many running threads, but I simply can't run- it is way too hard on my knees and ankles which I sprained many times as a child.

I love to walk. I do a couple of brisk 3-4 mile walks every week on days when I am not biking. I have read about fitness walking techniques and have incorporated some of that into my walking technique. Not "race walking" mind you- fitness walking.

I have found that fitness walking really helps my hip joints and my knees more than biking does. I think that's because when you walk you extend your whole leg backwards behind you- something we don't do on our bikes- on bikes our hips are always bent a slight amount, and are never fully extended backwards.

I love to walk on days when the rainy weather is too "iffy" for biking, and in the snow too (when I'm not snowshoeing).

Anyone else here love walking? Do you have a favorite walking route from home or work?

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I took my Garmin out with us for a 5km hike with the dogs. It's all uphill to the halfway point. Lots of routes to take, this is just where we went on that particular day. (Right out our back door). We also MTbike the same area if we don't have the dogs.

Strenuous walking the dogs