Benefits of Walking

With so many different types of workouts available to the general public, sometimes it's hard to know what's going to be best for you or how you should begin your fitness journey. Weight training, Zumba, and spin class all have their respective benefits, but sometimes folks that haven't tried those types of workouts feel a little intimidated jumping right into one of those workouts.

So where can you start? My personal recommendation - walking. It's a simple habit to pick up that provides the body with multiple benefits, including strengthening your muscles and improving your sleep quality. 

And with Argus’ new step tracker, now is an even better time to log your steps! However, one of the main reasons to start tracking your steps is because it can lead to a longer life.

Most Americans spend an average of 13 hours a day sitting and about 7 to 8 hours sleeping, resulting in 21 of the 24 hours each day being sedentary. This can lead to decreased muscle mass, mobility issues, increased body fat, slower metabolism, and ultimately a shorter lifespan. The American Medical Association has even now coined the term “sitting disease” and has recognized the potential health risks of prolonged periods of sitting.

However, spending 20-30 minutes of walking each day can add years to your life. One study found that regular walking through your fifties and sixties were 35% less likely to die at an early age than their non-exercising counterparts.

Aerobic walking was also linked to a discrease in the likelihood of developing numerous diseases and disabilities, ultimately adding more years to your life as well. What’s more, walking can slow down the process of mental decline and reduce your risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease by 50%, adding more quality years to your life. 

So whether you’re just hopping back into a new movement routine or you’re an expert walker, adding more steps to your day can ultimately add more years to your life. Start with a simple goal of 20 minutes a few times a week and work your way up from there!

Lauren Weiss is a personal trainer and group fitness instructor based out of Long Beach, CA. She specializes in kettlebell training and unconventional workouts and has been working with both types of fitness for over a year. Lauren has her BOLT Kettlebell Sport Certification through the USA Kettlebell League and has expertise working with kettlebells, barbells, dumbbells and several unconventional fitness tools. Lauren received her BA in Journalism and uses her writing expertise to craft thought-provoking articles about trending fitness, health & wellness topics. Follow Lauren on her website, Facebook, and Instagram.

Main Photo Credit: Syda Productions/shutterstock.com; Second Photo Credit: wavebreakmedia/shutterstock.com; Third Photo Credit: Click Images/shutterstock.com