In the era of fancy gym equipment, new forms of exercise and fad diets, we as individuals often miss out on simple, doable exercises that can enhance one’s fitness journey in the long run. And it is not the general population who believes this, even doctors pick simplicity over fad.Recently, Dr Shailesh Singh, Interventional Cardiologist, took to his X handle to educate people about the power of simple exercise. He said, “Your ₹10 lakh home gym is losing to the uncle who climbs 4 floors daily. Your ₹5,000/month supplements are losing to the grandmother’s dal-chawal. Complexity is procrastination dressed in Lululemon.”Let’s see why Dr Singh’s advice makes so much sense…
Don’t underestimate the power of walking
People tend to dismiss walking as a basic exercise, when they consider more elaborate gym routines and complicated workout plans. However, a daily walk of twenty minutes stands as one of the most efficient methods to enhance fitness levels and health outcomes. The body naturally responds positively to basic exercises when people maintain consistency. Let’s see how…
Excellent exercise
Walking is an excellent exercise, because people can do it regularly, without difficulty. The most crucial element for health and fitness improvement stems from maintaining consistent exercise practice throughout most days. Research indicates that walking at a moderate level as a regular activity, helps build heart strength while lowering blood pressure, and decreasing the chances of developing diabetes and heart disease. Research indicates that performing 20-30 minutes walks five times per week, will decrease heart disease risk by 30 percent. The practice of walking suits everyday routines, because it needs no special training or equipment, and most people can sustain it throughout their lives.
Better results
Walking is a natural exercise that provides weight-bearing benefits to major muscle groups, through safe and gentle movements. Walking provides better muscle strength, endurance and balance improvement than gym equipment and high-impact exercises, because it avoids injuries and burnout. The practice of walking as a basic exercise helps create a solid body foundation, which leads to enduring fitness development. Research indicates that brisk walking delivers heart health advantages, which match or surpass those of running. The essential factor for success is to maintain a pace where you can hold a conversation, but still experience physical exertion. The body adjusts effectively to this approach which leads to optimal results without creating excessive strain.
How to make your walking even more beneficial
The combination of walking with different exercises will enhance your fitness results and prevent workout routine boredom. The combination of squats, and lunges with body weight push-ups, helps users develop muscle mass while boosting their metabolic rate. The practice of stretching and yoga exercises helps protect joints from damage, while preventing injuries. The addition of jogging, cycling and skipping to your routine will enhance your cardiovascular fitness and endurance levels. Adding other activities like criss-cross steps, side-steps and brief skipping bursts to your walking routine, will activate different muscle groups while boosting your calorie expenditure.
Establish a routine
A 20-30 minute walk will yield its best benefits when you walk briskly throughout most of your weekly days. Begin with shorter walks of 10 minutes each, before you progress to longer sessions and faster speeds. Select routes that are both safe and enjoyable, while wearing appropriate footwear. You can maintain motivation through scheduled reminders, and by walking with companions. Your health benefits will increase when you combine your walking routine with proper nutrition and sufficient rest. Walking develops into an automatic daily practice, which leads to sustained fitness and wellness benefits.Disclaimer: This article is informational only and not a substitute for medical advice
