Is walking fast a better option than running slow or is it the other way around? Well, the jury is almost divided on this and it is better left to one’s understanding and preference to decide what really clicks for him/her. Both speed walking and jogging is tagged with a number of plus points and indulging in either of the two over a prolonged period of time can leave your health with more benefits than one. Walking and jogging are better forms of aerobic exercises that can do wonders for your cardiac health, bone and muscle, increasing your fitness levels rapidly. These aerobic exercises are also known to keep the cholesterol levels and blood pressure in check. What you choose is perfectly on your preference. Both speed walking and jogging can help you burn maximum calories if done in the right manner. So, if you want to shed off those extra fats, dump the couch, put on your boots, hit the road and get going with your favorite form of exercise. However, before you make your pick, a quick run through the rest of the article will help you maximize your efforts. Read on for more.
Pros & Cons Of Speed Walking & Jogging
Calorie Expenditure
The biggest question that comes to view when deciding between speed walking and jogging is which of these aerobic exercises can help you burn maximum calories? Though both walking and running burns the same amount of calories, what concerns is how fast you do it. Studies have revealed that walking at a speed, say 12 minute per mile, can burn greater calories than running in the same speed. The catch is that, running at this pace is far better and easier than walking.
Risk Of Injury
Walking entails lower injury than running. A close study has revealed that people who walked were at a lower risk of injuring themselves than those who ran. One thumb rule to avert all risk of injury is not to increase your mileage by more than ten percent every week. It is necessary to keep a tab on intensity and duration to be safe. Another quick tip to reduce injury is to start with proper warm up exercise, before hitting the roads.
Time Permit
Whether to walk fast or run slow actually depends much on how much time you got to spare? Walking can be done at almost any time of the day sans any special gear or shoes. It is a more convenient option than jogging, any day, any time, that requires jogging shoes and clothes and yes, a post-workout shower too.
A Suitable Variant
Whatever you choose, remember the choice should be made keeping in mind your body type and flexibility. For beginners, walking is indeed the best option out of the two. Once your body gets used to walking, you can graduate to jogging, a more grueling process. Also for people with orthopedic conditions, who are suffering from obesity, walking doubles up as the best option that offers fitness without any injury or physical stress. However, for fitness freaks, jogging is a pure delight to indulge in, to burn the extra calories and maintain a proper fitness regimen.
Tips
- To get the maximum out of your daily walk or jog, add some stretching and strengthening exercise to your daily workout. Stretching will help reduce risk of all injuries, while strengthening exercises will help tone up your body better.
- Both running and speed walking comes with its fair share of pluses and minuses and choosing between the two is often a matter of just preference, if not priority. You can also combine both of these together to get the maximum out of your exercise schedule.