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Running vs walkingComparing benefits of exercise for eachRunning vs walking. Like other debates in the fitness world, this one has its blaring advocates poised against each other.
Each of these sites are filled with only 100% real-world tested workouts that will have you quickly reaching your goals. Click here ________________________________________________________________ Truth is, you will reap the benefits of exercise with either. We are partial to walking as an adjunct to a well balanced workout for reasons outlined on our page on walking. But the answers to particular comparison questions on the topic of running vs walking, are very complicated. Frankly, there isn’t that much research on the contrast between walking & running. Here are some starting points on the running vs. walking debate.
Benefits of exercise - running vs. walking
* Does running burn more calories than walking? Depends. Yes, if the run is in the same amount of time as the walk. Running burns about twice as many calories as walking. However, if you run and walk the same distance, the amount of calories burned is the same. * Similarly, running may be more effective at helping you lose weight than walking. However, fast walking provides the same weight loss punch as jogging. * Walking the same distance as jogging burns more fat than jogging during the exercise phase. That’s because a walk uses a greater proportion of fat for fuel than does jogging. * If you want that “runners high” that runners rave about, you have to run. This natural high may healthfully “addict” the runner to the activity. If, you haven’t experienced this high, well, it’s better than any other high. * However, walks allow you to calm down & even socialize. Heck, you can walk while holding important meetings or call your cable company about an extra charge. * As to what’s better for your overall health, running vs. walking - the value of interval training offers an important clue. Interval training, (link) which alternates intense vs. easy movements, has been shown to be incredibly effective for improving fitness & cardiovascular health. Interval exercise could pair up sprints with walks. An activity like walking, paired with an activity like running, are very effective when they are paired up. This suggests that learning to combine walks with runs is more powerful than just walking or just running. So, the answer to the question - running vs. walking - could be “both” in the same workout. * Running fairly fast increases metabolism better than walking rather slowly. That is because there is a greater after-exercise effect for running. Especially for faster runs, the body’s need to repair itself revs the metabolism up more than walking. * Running may be better for improving cardio-respiratory fitness. But, that really depends. If you are out of shape & overweight, walking will improve fitness greatly. If you are walking fast, it should do wonders for cardio fitness also. * Runners have a higher risk of injury than walkers. Running is a higher impact sport than walking. If you have joint problems walking is much safer than running. * However, the impact of running also helps to build bone. That helps to avoid certain injuries & stave off osteoporosis. Comparative benefits of exercise are often complicated. Recommendations on running vs. walking
The above comparisons should help you decide on whether to include either walking vs running in your exercise program or how to balance them. Here some further considerations.* You can do both if you want to & reap their considerable benefits. Running & walking use different leg muscles so you wont overstress the same muscles by doing both. * Walk at the beginning of an exercise cycle & then include some jogs, or even sprints, as you round into good shape. * You can run & walk on the same workout. It’s termed “interval training.” It may be the best exercise strategy for getting fit as fast as possible. (link) * When deciding between running vs walking, consider walking as a cool down activity after resistance training. On alternate days, run & do more stretching as a cool down.
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