Two of the most convenient and least expensive workouts go head-to-head to find out which one is better. Spoiler alert: it depends on your fitness goal and current physical condition.
New to exercise — the winner: walking
When you’re just starting out, any activity is good, and walking is an easy way for most people to get started. You can set a pace as fast or as slow as you can handle, and the low impact is easier on your joints. All you have to do is find the right shoes (see our article on page 2) and a safe place to walk.
Heart health — the winner: both!
Your heart can benefit from walking or running. In fact, a brisk walk (2 miles in 30 minutes) can be as good for you as running. Just 30 minutes per day, five days per week can help lower your risk of heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure. The more you move; the greater the benefits.
Weight loss — the winner: both!
If your goal is to lose weight, both running and walking are excellent calorie burners. The trick is you have to walk much more to burn the same amount of calories as you would on a quick run. If you’re short on time, a running program can help you blaze through calories faster. But if you can’t run or you just don’t like to run, taking longer and faster walks can still help you reach your goal.
Whether you decide to walk or run, any physical activity is better than none at all. So, go ahead and hit the trail, track or treadmill. Your body will thank you for it!
