By Contributor: Whit Sawyer
I know what you’re thinking. The best exercise I’m not doing?
Well, at least not enough. It’s not squats or long-distance running. It’s not some fancy new machine designed to give you the ultimate chiseled midsection. And no, it’s definitely not doing bicep curls while standing on a bosu ball.
It’s walking. Yes, walking. According to studies found online, the average American takes roughly 3,000-4,000 steps a day. Although that’s a good start, I’d like to provide you with compelling reasons on why you should be aiming for more.
Walking is incredibly beneficial to your health. Some of the health benefits of walking include:
- Helps you maintain a healthy body weight while reducing fat.
- Helps to prevent or manage medical conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes.
- Builds an incredible cardiovascular base. This base carries over into other areas of your life, like the bedroom and golf course.
- Low impact exercise that’s great for your muscles and bones.
- Improves your mood while providing you with more energy.
According to a study published in a 2020 edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers found that higher step counts were associated with lower all-cause mortality rates.
Compared with participants taking 4,000 steps a day, those taking 8,000 steps a day were associated with a 51% lower risk of all-cause mortality. Participants taking 12,000 steps a day fared even better, reducing their mortality risk by up to 65% compared to the group taking 4,000 steps. The benefits weren’t limited to one gender or the other. The study found both men and women, regardless of age, would benefit from more walking.
Another considerable benefit of walking is the cost. There is none. Anybody can do it. It doesn’t require a gym membership or equipment (unless you prefer the Treadmill at the gym). Walking is the most accessible exercise on the planet.
The last item I’ll mention is the ease in which walking can be worked into your everyday life. Fast. Slow. Uphill. Downhill. It doesn’t really matter. You can decide to make it harder by adding weight or hop on the treadmill while taking a Zoom call for work. You can walk the dog or push the stroller. It’s literally impossible to screw up a good walk!
Long story short, walking makes you fitter and keeps you alive longer. With the holidays around the corner, now’s a good time to ask yourself, “how many steps am I taking per day and how can I incorporate more?”
