Should I Count Walking As Exercise?

You should consider walking as exercise if you do it daily and count more than 10,000 steps a day. Anything below this isn’t enough.

The answer to this question depends on how much walking you do and what your fitness goals are. If you are trying to lose weight, then any activity that gets your heart rate up and burns calories can be considered exercise.

Walking is a great way to get started on an exercise program, but it may not be enough to reach your goals if you are significantly overweight.

If you are already at a healthy weight and just looking to maintain your fitness level, then you can probably get away with not counting walking as exercise.

But if you want to improve your fitness or lose weight, then you need to make sure that you are getting enough activity each day.

The best way to do this is to find an activity that you enjoy and make it a part of your daily routine.

Walking is a great option for many people, but there are also other activities that you can do, such as biking, swimming, or even hiking. Whatever you choose, just make sure that you are getting moving!

Walking As Exercise

Things you should know about counting walking as exercise:

1. Walk According To Your Fitness Level

The amount of walking you need to do to impact your fitness level depends on how active you are currently and what your goals are.

So, if you are very sedentary, you will need to walk more than someone who is already quite active.

2. Your Fitness Level Will Improve Over Time

Walking at a brisk pace is the best way to make sure that you are getting a good workout, and one of the best things to do while walking.

But, if you are just starting out, you can go at a slower pace until you build up your endurance.

So, don’t worry if you can’t keep up with the speed walkers at first. Just focus on moving your legs and taking deep breaths.

3. Switch Things Up

You can also vary your walking routine to make it more interesting and effective. For example, you can change the scenery by walking in different locations, or you can add some hills or stairs to your route.

But, even if you just stick to walking on flat surfaces, you can still get a great workout.

4. Always Warm Up

As with any other type of exercise, it’s important to warm up before you start walking. This will help prevent injuries and make your walk more comfortable.

Just take a few minutes to stretch your muscles and get your heart rate going before you start walking.

5. Don’t Limit Yourself Only To Walking

If you want to lose weight, you need to make sure that you are burning more calories than you are taking in. Walking is a great way to do this, but you may need to supplement your walking with other activities, like strength training or cardio, to really see results.

So, if you are serious about losing weight, talk to your doctor or a certified personal trainer to create a plan that is right for you.

6. Just Do It

Remember, any activity that gets you moving is better than nothing. So, even if walking isn’t your favorite exercise, it’s still worth doing if it means that you are getting up and active.

Just make sure that you are doing it safely and at a pace that is comfortable for you.

And, if you have any health concerns, be sure to talk to your doctor before starting any new exercise program.

What To Avoid When Walking

Things you should never do when counting walking as exercise:

1. Don’t Overdo It

Walking is a great exercise, but you can hurt yourself if you try to do too much too soon. Start slowly and increase your pace and distance gradually. And, if you start to feel pain or discomfort, slow down or stop altogether.

2. Don’t Walk In Unsafe Areas

Be aware of your surroundings and stick to well-lit, safe routes. And, if you are walking alone, be sure to let someone know where you are going and when you’ll be back.

3. Don’t Walk While Distracted

It’s important to pay attention to your surroundings and be aware of potential hazards. So, if you are walking with music or a phone, keep the volume low enough that you can still hear what’s going on around you.

4. Don’t Forget To Warm Up And Cool Down

As with any other type of exercise, it’s important to warm up your muscles before you start walking. And, when you’re finished, take a few minutes to cool down so your body can adjust back to its resting state.

5. Don’t Forget To Stretch

Stretching helps prevent injuries and makes your walk more comfortable. So, before you start walking, take a few minutes to stretch your muscles. And, when you’re finished, be sure to stretch again.

The Takeaway

Now that you know more about counting walking as exercise, get out there and start moving!

Walking is a great way to improve your health and fitness, and it’s something that everyone can do.

Just start slow and increase your pace and distance gradually. And, be sure to pay attention to your body and listen to what it’s telling you. If you start to feel pain or discomfort, slow down or stop altogether.

But, as long as you are walking safely and at a pace that is comfortable for you, you’ll be on your way to better health in no time.