Featured
Walking
Grade Your Hikes
I love hiking in the Fall because of the beautiful scenery and perfect weather — the crisp air never leaves me too hot or too cold. On the weekends I often go on all-day or multi-day hikes in Yosemite valley or the Lake Tahoe region. Some of my friends equate hiking with a leisurely stroll through the woods, but anyone who hikes regularly knows this isn't always the case.
Pros and Cons of the Treadmill
If you enjoy walking or running, sometimes exercising outside just isn't an option, so the treadmill is your saving grace. It's one of the most common pieces of gym equipment used, so check out some of its benefits and disadvantages.
Pros
Cons
- Rain, sleet, snow, blazing sun, and pitch black can't keep you from using the treadmill, so no matter what the weather or time of day, you can always get in a workout.
- The terrain is always free of rocks, trash, dog poo, and ice, so you don't have to worry about where you're stepping.
Treadmill Trivia
If you love working out on a treadmill, take this quiz to see how well you know your machine.
Take the quiz
You Asked: 60-Minute Brisk Walk vs. 30-Minute Jog
Dear Fit,
I'm trying to lose weight, so cardio has become a part of my weekly routine. When it was cooler out, I had no problem jogging 30 minutes, about four times a week. I live where the temps are in the 80s and 90s right now with a considerable amount of humidity, and it's been brutal jogging.
From Walker to Runner: 8 Week Plan
So you've always wanted to take up running, but every time you've tried, you were exhausted after one minute. Not everyone is born to be a runner, and for most of us, it takes weeks of building up and training your body to get used to moving this way.
I believe any healthy person can go from being a walker to a runner, and this eight-week plan from Running.about.com can get you there.
Walking to Stay Trim? Aim For 100 Steps Per Minute
If you're walking to lose weight, a recent study says you need to walk at a quick pace of at least 100 steps per minute in order for it to be considered moderate intensity. A pedometer is a great tool to use when you're strolling along, since it tells you how many steps you've taken. You can also check it to make sure you're taking enough steps within a certain number of time in order to get your heart rate up.
Gear Review: Erin Ballerina Flats by Keen
I find walking is a good form of exercise as well as a great way to get from point A to point B. Wearing comfy shoes is a simple way to ensure that you incorporate walking into your everyday activities. I have been on the hunt for shoes that are great for walking and are cute too.
Words That Move You . . .
On the occasion of Start Walking Day, here's another reason to walk:
"Me thinks that the moment my legs begin to move, my thoughts begin to flow."
— Henry David Thoreau
Need more motivation? Check out all of my words that move you.
How to Make Your Walk Work Harder
Since tomorrow is Start Walking Day, I wanted to stroll out some tried-and-true tips for getting the most out of your walk. Just because walking is one of the first things we learn to do as humans doesn't mean we don't have more to learn. If you're walking for exercise or if you just want to make your regular walks more fitness filled, here are some tips on making your walk work harder for you.
April 8 Is National Start Walking Day
Lace up your walking shoes tomorrow and join millions of Americans for Start Walking Day. The American Heart Association (AHA) is urging folks to start walking on April 8: walk to work, walk with your co-workers, walk your dog, walk with a friend, just walk and keep on walking. As a form of exercise, walking has the lowest dropout rate, and it's free.
More on FitSugar
Fall Award Season
Top Brands
Ruco Line
Tibi
Cotswold Company