Toning up doesn’t have to be tough and walking doesn’t have to be boring. There are many ways to exercise and walking is a pretty effective one. Studies have shown that walking for even just 30 minutes a day greatly improves and maintains overall health. Some of the benefits of walking include:
- increased heart and lung fitness
- reduced risk of heart disease and stroke
- stronger bones and improved balance
- increased muscle strength and endurance
- reduced body fat
While simply just walking is enough to keep you physically fit, you may want to amp up your workout a bit to receive even greater benefits. If you are looking to tone up and make your daily walk feel like a more high intensity workout, try out these tips to up the ante.
Add weights
Adding ankle and arm weights will increase your resistance and get your muscles working.This is a great way to work your muscles while also doing cardio. These Bala Weighted Bangle Set comes with 1 lb. weighted bangles that can be worn both around your wrists and ankles. Even just 1 lb. is enough to enhance any workout. You can secure them on while walking and running, or even when doing yoga, pilates, or just moving around your house. I started using these and have felt a difference in my arms. At first I was a bit skeptical since they are so light, but they really do add some resistance. I also love them because they are extremely sleek and comfortable. Unlike some weights, they aren’t clunky. These bangles are pricey but I think they are a good investment if you will wear them throughout the week.
Spice up your steps
Walking doesn’t only have to be one step in front of the other! Spruce up your workout by getting creative with your movements. Rotate between high knees, side shuffles, and butt kicks to increase the intensity of your walk. This will allow you to both perform cardio and tone your muscles.
Wear a sweatband
Walking isn’t as sweat inducing as other workouts, but that doesn’t mean you can’t work up a sweat with it. Wearing a sweatband around your waist during a walk will help your body to heat up and get you sweating. While sweatbands do not seem to have long term benefits, they can help to add some intensity to your walk and help it to feel more like a workout. Adding hot gel can also help to warm up your abdomen.
As you can see ,there are many ways to make your walk feel more intense. If you are not a huge fan of walking, these tips can help you to enjoy it more and tone up faster. Some other ways to make your walk more enjoyable include bringing a friend, listening to music, and practicing meditation. How do you spice up your walks? Comment below.
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