Walking is the most natural exercise for your body. After all, you’ve been doing it since you were two. These are low-impact, weight-bearing aerobic exercises, two essential ingredients to any exercise program.
You can intensify your walking training with proper walking shoes, an essential component for optimizing performance and minimizing injury. All athletic shoe manufacturers have designated walking shoes. Don’t wear running shoes for walking; your alignment and gait are different when you run.
If you really want to take walking to another level, check out the collection of shoes from MBT, which stands for “Masai Barefoot Technology.” Nicknamed “the anti-shoe” or “the Pilates shoe”, the MBT technology was inspired by the Maasai tribe of Africa, known for their excellent posture and lack of joint and back problems despite often running barefoot on irregular surfaces.
The MBT shoe has a rounded bottom and a thick core that creates a natural instability that forces your body to work with your core muscles, even when standing still. That means you can burn calories doing nothing! As you walk, MBTs help improve posture, circulation, and tone your legs, abs, and buttocks. The design also reduces pressure on the lower back, arches of the feet, and joints. While they are a bit pricey (around $250), the added benefits are well worth it. Stores often have sales on older models. Or check out new lower-priced versions from Skechers for around $110.
As with any regular activity, you can also develop bad walking habits. In the book, Chi Walking, he can relearn proper walking technique and alignment, while creating a mindful walking exercise.
Walking is easy and inexpensive to do anywhere, anytime. To help you get further and faster, here are some suggestions:
* Walk with a friend at a scheduled time or day; you will go more often and it will last longer.
* Listen to fast-paced music; you will increase speed.
* Catch up on your phone calls while you walk; time will fly
* Get a dog; You’ll have to take her out for walks every day.
* Make a regular habit of walking after dinner; you will digest better while burning calories.