Running (Jogging) vs. Walking

cdcruizer05
cdcruizer05 Posts: 1,006 Member
edited November 14 in Fitness and Exercise
Is there any added benefit from jogging vs. plain ole walking? I do a mix of both. I would like to get to the point where i can eventually jog 3 miles straight.

Replies

  • hill8570
    hill8570 Posts: 1,466 Member
    From a calorie burn perspective, you can burn off quite a few more calories running vs walking per unit of time
  • Nikstar70
    Nikstar70 Posts: 5 Member
    Running burns more calories than walking but to burn the most calories, try HIIT or high intensity interval training. I do intervals of sprints alternated with walking. I do 100m of sprinting, then walk for 100m and do this for as long as you can or roughly 15-20mins. Get the heart rate up fast and doesn't waste muscle like long steady state runs do.
  • cheshirecatastrophe
    cheshirecatastrophe Posts: 1,395 Member
    Nikstar70 wrote: »
    Running burns more calories than walking but to burn the most calories, try HIIT or high intensity interval training. I do intervals of sprints alternated with walking. I do 100m of sprinting, then walk for 100m and do this for as long as you can or roughly 15-20mins. Get the heart rate up fast and doesn't waste muscle like long steady state runs do.

    Okay. First of all, you do not want to go from only walking, to sprint intervals. That is a quick route to injury. Second, it is true that intense intervals burn more calories over a shorter period of time than steady-state cardio. However, because you can hold steady state cardio for a MUCH longer time, the two are basically a wash as far as overall calorie burning is concerned. (The "afterburn" effects of HIIT are *drastically* overstated.) Third, what is this about "wasted" muscle? The only way long, steady-state cardio burns muscle is if you don't eat enough calories and your body catabolizes your muscle instead of glycogen and fat for fuel. Eat protein and do some resistance training.

    --

    OP, jogging or running (same diff! you don't have to be fast to "run") have a few benefits over walking. Elevated heart rate is one, calorie burning efficiency, and also--at least for me--it generates endorphins and acts as a real antidepressant. Walking simply does not have the same mood effects. At least for me.

    But walking is fantastic exercise, especially for people with joint problems, excess weight, or other things that make the repetitive impact of pounding your feet in running an extra danger.
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    Running comes with many physiological advantages, and of course burns a lot more calories (which may or may not be an advantage, depending on goals).
  • jimmmer
    jimmmer Posts: 3,515 Member
    They're both fine exercise modalities.

    Pick one you enjoy, fits into your schedule and you will do regularly enough to derive the benefit from and continue to improve at.

    Walking IS NOT an inferior or slower form of running, it is it's own thing.

  • 4leighbee
    4leighbee Posts: 1,275 Member
    jimmmer wrote: »
    They're both fine exercise modalities.

    Pick one you enjoy, fits into your schedule and you will do regularly enough to derive the benefit from and continue to improve at.

    Walking IS NOT an inferior or slower form of running, it is it's own thing.

    +1
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    Walking doesn't burn as many calories but I don't think it's inferior in any way. It's still activity and you're still moving your body. I walk because I have a foot problem. The high impact of running hurts my foot and I don't want to injure it further. I know I should see a foot dr.
  • isulo_kura
    isulo_kura Posts: 818 Member
    Nikstar70 wrote: »
    doesn't waste muscle like long steady state runs do.

    Running doesn't waste muscle poor nutrition does
  • jimmmer
    jimmmer Posts: 3,515 Member
    edited March 2015
    Nikstar70 wrote: »
    Running burns more calories than walking but to burn the most calories, try HIIT or high intensity interval training. I do intervals of sprints alternated with walking. I do 100m of sprinting, then walk for 100m and do this for as long as you can or roughly 15-20mins. Get the heart rate up fast and doesn't waste muscle like long steady state runs do.

    Yeah. I'm going to have to say no.

    In the summer I like to go for some long runs. I've never lost an ounce of muscle.

    Just eat more to account for the activity.

    ETA: just seen that I was beaten to it...
  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    For me, I started out walking. As I went along, I increased the intensity with speed and incline, but I did reach a point where I couldn't commit the time I needed to get the calorie burn I wanted. So, I started running. I burn more calories in less time. Along with other things people have mentioned, running also helps increase your bone density.

    Walking is a fine exercise if you have the time to commit to it. Running is a fine exercise too. They both have advantages and disadvantages.
  • hbrittingham
    hbrittingham Posts: 2,518 Member
    Whatever gets you up and moving is the best exercise for you. Some people enjoy running and some people don't. If you don't enjoy it, you aren't likely to stick with it.
  • Sam_I_Am77
    Sam_I_Am77 Posts: 2,093 Member
    If you go walk a mile or 2 it's a good form of exercise. When you get into jogging at different paces and sprinting, you're really getting into training the different energy systems (aerobic / anaerobic). If you're into a team sport like soccer or something you'll want to build a strong anaerobic base or if you're a marathon runner then you obviously need a strong aerobic base. If you're just trying to stay healthy, walking every day is good.
  • cdcruizer05
    cdcruizer05 Posts: 1,006 Member
    Guys you rock, thanks for the awesome input. I think i will continue to walk and jog, incrementally increasing my distances for jogging. I actually enjoy jogging more! I am glad i'm actually at point where i can now.
  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    edited March 2015
    I tried to run 6 miles this morning but had to get a ride home because all my muscle wasted away in the first 3 miles and I couldn't walk anymore.
  • cdcruizer05
    cdcruizer05 Posts: 1,006 Member
    scottb81 wrote: »
    I tried to run 6 miles this morning but had to get a ride home because all my muscle wasted away in the first 3 miles and I couldn't walk anymore.

    How long had you been running before, you tried to run these 6 miles? Like did you just start running as of late?
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    scottb81 wrote: »
    I tried to run 6 miles this morning but had to get a ride home because all my muscle wasted away in the first 3 miles and I couldn't walk anymore.

    How long had you been running before, you tried to run these 6 miles? Like did you just start running as of late?

    Scott is pulling your leg.......he is probably one of the most accomplished runners on this site and was being sarcastic. (we need a sarcasm font)


  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Nikstar70 wrote: »
    Running burns more calories than walking but to burn the most calories, try HIIT or high intensity interval training. I do intervals of sprints alternated with walking. I do 100m of sprinting, then walk for 100m and do this for as long as you can or roughly 15-20mins. Get the heart rate up fast and doesn't waste muscle like long steady state runs do.

    I love the smell of broscience in the morning!

  • LJgfg
    LJgfg Posts: 81 Member
    Guys you rock, thanks for the awesome input. I think i will continue to walk and jog, incrementally increasing my distances for jogging. I actually enjoy jogging more! I am glad i'm actually at point where i can now.

    Awesome! Congrats on reaching the running (I detest the word jogging) stage :smiley: As someone who's been doing a walk / run thing for quite awhile trying to get up to speed to do some distance races I did want to offer one warning if you get interested in doing the same thing. I focused for a long time on increasing my pace and distance - and so while I ran more each week, it was still about the same ratio of walking to running because of the increased distance. Long story short, I ended up being able to make the times I wanted - but only because I'd inadvertently taught myself how to speed-walk (which uses different techniques and muscles than running). Whoops! So this season, I'm having to focus on doing much, much shorter distances - but working on those till I can run the whole way before I try increasing back to the 6 to 8 miles I was doing. Good luck!
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    If you want to be a runner then running is better than walking. From an energy expenditure standpoint, you're going to burn more calories running than walking. From a time standpoint, running is more efficient. From an enjoyment standpoint, I prefer walking.
  • glevinso
    glevinso Posts: 1,895 Member
    isulo_kura wrote: »
    Nikstar70 wrote: »
    doesn't waste muscle like long steady state runs do.

    Running doesn't waste muscle poor nutrition does

    This. I run thousands of miles a year, I ride thousands of miles a year, I swim hundreds of thousands of yards a year. I lift nothing heavier than a beer glass.

    Yet, my quads don't fit into most jeans that fit my waist, and nobody would call me "scrawny" although I am very lean.
  • 4leighbee
    4leighbee Posts: 1,275 Member
    LJgfg wrote: »
    Guys you rock, thanks for the awesome input. I think i will continue to walk and jog, incrementally increasing my distances for jogging. I actually enjoy jogging more! I am glad i'm actually at point where i can now.

    Awesome! Congrats on reaching the running (I detest the word jogging) stage :smiley: As someone who's been doing a walk / run thing for quite awhile trying to get up to speed to do some distance races I did want to offer one warning if you get interested in doing the same thing. I focused for a long time on increasing my pace and distance - and so while I ran more each week, it was still about the same ratio of walking to running because of the increased distance. Long story short, I ended up being able to make the times I wanted - but only because I'd inadvertently taught myself how to speed-walk (which uses different techniques and muscles than running). Whoops! So this season, I'm having to focus on doing much, much shorter distances - but working on those till I can run the whole way before I try increasing back to the 6 to 8 miles I was doing. Good luck!

    Lol ... me too (jogger). Joggers were scooting around the block with a colorful sweat band and short OP shorts in the 1970s. We are runners.
  • cdcruizer05
    cdcruizer05 Posts: 1,006 Member
    scottb81 wrote: »
    I tried to run 6 miles this morning but had to get a ride home because all my muscle wasted away in the first 3 miles and I couldn't walk anymore.

    How long had you been running before, you tried to run these 6 miles? Like did you just start running as of late?

    Scott is pulling your leg.......he is probably one of the most accomplished runners on this site and was being sarcastic. (we need a sarcasm font)


    haha, oh i see! Still kinda new to the forums! lol
  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    I have tried all the different ways of getting in running shape after several times of going through lazy periods. The best I have found is simply running easy and enforcing that easy with a heart rate monitor.

    If you have one go out and keep your effort under 75% max heart rate; walk when needed to keep the heart rate down. You will find yourself, week by week, running more and walking less until you are running the whole way. You will also find your speed increasing for a long time.

    Do this for 6 months. The more running you can do the faster it works. On alternate days, rest, walk, or run with your heartrate under 65% max.

    Pay attention to how you feel each day. If your legs are feeling fresh and nothing hurts then you can run more often. If your legs start feeling heavy or something is hurting take a rest day or a walk day.

    Start taking your morning pulse before you get out of bed. You will find it getting lower over time. If you wake up a couple of days in a row and its getting higher then you need more recovery so take a rest day or a walk day.

    The worst ways I have found is any method that includes the words HIIT, sprint, speed, etc. Those will work to a point but you quickly plateau and injury is highly likely. i have tried all of these in too great quantities and too early in training before and have invariably gotten fast quick, but at the cost of a lot of pain, lots of injuries, and invariable burnout leading to my lazy periods LOL.

    Wait at least 6 months to include any of that stuff. And even then those things should only be a very small part of training. The rest is easy and relaxing. The kind of run where you finish feeling happy and knowing you could easily turn around and do it again without any problem.

    Running is a whole lot simpler than most make it out to be.
  • abarriere
    abarriere Posts: 135 Member
    The Couch to 5K program is good if you want to get to where you can run longer times without stopping to walk. I did that program a couple of years ago and got to where i could run for 30 minutes.

    I just started back up this past January with a personal trainer twice a week and cardio 3-4 times a week, doing heart rate monitor work on the treadmill and elliptical. I have been alternating between running and walking, following specific heart rate zones, each workout is different. 2 steady state/active recovery workouts, 1 interval (VO2 max) and one pyramid workout. Much to my surprise, since yesterday was pretty outside, i decided to go for a run outside and i ran for 43 minutes without stopping, crushing my previous record! I couldn't believe it, because i am nowhere close to my goal weight.

    Long story short for however you do it, I think that consistency along with pushing yourself a little harder each time, is key.
  • jimmmer wrote: »
    They're both fine exercise modalities.

    Pick one you enjoy, fits into your schedule and you will do regularly enough to derive the benefit from and continue to improve at.

    Walking IS NOT an inferior or slower form of running, it is it's own thing.

    This.

    I do both, and I feel it in different muscle areas. Though both get me in the butt.
  • CaterinaThrace
    CaterinaThrace Posts: 6 Member
    Like you, I do a bit of both. Where I run around my neighbourhood it is super hilly, up down up down and mostly trail/bush runs so sometimes I wonder whether I should be running more. The hills are killer and I really am not yet at the stage where I can run up them for very long. I just figure - run where you can and walk where you have to, aiming to improve all the time. I'm not sure running really has to be that complicated. I just do it because it makes me feel great and I'm starting to look ok in jeans again!
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