Walking considered strength training?

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Replies

  • Furbuster
    Furbuster Posts: 254 Member
    No I never hold on and do the arm at right angles thing.

    I live in a flat county - there aren't many hills here, but I do live on a hill and walk up that 5 ish times a week.
  • mitch16
    mitch16 Posts: 2,113 Member
    msf74 wrote: »
    Furbuster wrote: »
    As an aside I would like some advice please.

    I walk everywhere as I don't have a car and use the treadmill at the gum. I can't run because of a bad knee.

    I'm trying to get my legs stronger before I go into surgery (which could be a zillion years away).

    Atm I do half uphill at 3mph at 10-15% and half on the flat at about 4.2mph. Roughly about 20-30 mins each time.

    Could this be improved and make my legs stronger?

    Walk more hills if you can and / or add some weight when you walk (like wearing a weighted vest for example. I would avoid a rucksack filled with weights though as it can concentrate undue pressure on your back and shoulders.)

    Have you tried hiking?

    What about cycling?

    Can you do any of the leg machines at the gym (presses/curls)? What about things like squats/lunges/bridge lifts/step ups/resistance band work? Those are all things my PT had me do when I was rehabbing my torn meniscus.
  • msf74
    msf74 Posts: 3,498 Member
    Furbuster wrote: »
    No I never hold on and do the arm at right angles thing.

    I live in a flat county - there aren't many hills here, but I do live on a hill and walk up that 5 ish times a week.

    Just do more hill repeats (walk up as quickly as you can then walk down slowly a few times) and add some weight if you can. Over time add more repeats.

    Do that enough and you'll probably have a better level of conditioning and nicer legs than half the people on this forum ;)
  • msf74
    msf74 Posts: 3,498 Member
    mitch16 wrote: »
    msf74 wrote: »
    Furbuster wrote: »
    As an aside I would like some advice please.

    I walk everywhere as I don't have a car and use the treadmill at the gum. I can't run because of a bad knee.

    I'm trying to get my legs stronger before I go into surgery (which could be a zillion years away).

    Atm I do half uphill at 3mph at 10-15% and half on the flat at about 4.2mph. Roughly about 20-30 mins each time.

    Could this be improved and make my legs stronger?

    Walk more hills if you can and / or add some weight when you walk (like wearing a weighted vest for example. I would avoid a rucksack filled with weights though as it can concentrate undue pressure on your back and shoulders.)

    Have you tried hiking?

    What about cycling?

    Can you do any of the leg machines at the gym (presses/curls)? What about things like squats/lunges/bridge lifts/step ups/resistance band work? Those are all things my PT had me do when I was rehabbing my torn meniscus.

    Yes, those are all great suggestions as well.

    Actually, they are probably an even better idea than more hills as that can place more strain than is necessary on the knee.




  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    edited August 2015
    Kalikel wrote: »
    The runners are usually very lean. Serious runners, anyway.

    This is not true. I know serious runners who are not "very lean", and even who are overweight. I know, I was one of them (overweight and a serious runner). ;)
  • Furbuster
    Furbuster Posts: 254 Member
    Thankyou for your help - I'll start that - I've always been a bit shy of doing squats in case my meniscus tears even more. I'll start carefully and see what happens.

    Plus more uphill, and yes I do cycle but I generally have two dogs on the back and so I have an electric bike as my legs can't get uphill yet ;)

    Thankyou again

    FB x
  • juggernaut1974
    juggernaut1974 Posts: 6,212 Member
    What if I just want to TONE my legs? I mean I don't want to get big and bulky like a bodybuilder. Then would walking work for me?
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    Kalikel wrote: »
    The runners are usually very lean. Serious runners, anyway.

    This is not true. I know serious runners who are not "very lean", and even who are overweight. I know, I was one of them (overweight and a serious runner). ;)

    I know a ton as well. I have 2 that come to mind that have completed over 10 full Iron Mans and ton of halfs. Both of them are overweight.
  • juggernaut1974
    juggernaut1974 Posts: 6,212 Member
    Hornsby wrote: »
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    Kalikel wrote: »
    The runners are usually very lean. Serious runners, anyway.

    This is not true. I know serious runners who are not "very lean", and even who are overweight. I know, I was one of them (overweight and a serious runner). ;)

    I know a ton as well. I have 2 that come to mind that have completed over 10 full Iron Mans and ton of halfs. Both of them are overweight.

    Wait...this thread is about running? I thought the OP asked about walking.

    NM my question then...I KNOW running will make my legs big and bulky.
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    I wonder about this one, considering that for those who have lost a significant amount, if they wore a weight vest proportionate to the weight lost. Still this would be more cardio with resistance elements incorporated.
  • daniwilford
    daniwilford Posts: 1,030 Member
    According to my physical therapist, walking is not strength training. I am suffering from muscle injuries after walking for exercise. Some of my muscles are overworked by walking because others are slacking. The cure is to do exercises to target and strengthen the slackers or strength training, none of these exercises involve walking in anyway as most people would define it. I love to walk and it has been a great aid to my mental health, reducing A1C, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, lipids and weight. I am hoping to be able to start again next week, but for now it is all strength training.
  • Bronty3
    Bronty3 Posts: 104 Member
    edited August 2015
    It's a weight-bearing exercise so you build up bone but not muscle.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    Yes I know..its not lifting any considerable weight but it does eventually build muscle in the legs. So should it be considered strength training?

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  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    Kalikel wrote: »
    The runners are usually very lean. Serious runners, anyway.

    This is not true. I know serious runners who are not "very lean", and even who are overweight. I know, I was one of them (overweight and a serious runner). ;)
    How fat do you think most serious runners are? Like overweight or obese?

    In your experience.
  • kk_inprogress
    kk_inprogress Posts: 3,077 Member
    Kalikel wrote: »
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    Kalikel wrote: »
    The runners are usually very lean. Serious runners, anyway.

    This is not true. I know serious runners who are not "very lean", and even who are overweight. I know, I was one of them (overweight and a serious runner). ;)
    How fat do you think most serious runners are? Like overweight or obese?

    In your experience.

    The argument here was that poster said "all walkers and endurance runners are lean."

    I'd agree that MANY are. But not all. Walking and running don't make you lean and there are plenty of people who are overweight and achieve great runs while still overeating and carrying extra weight.
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    edited August 2015
    kkenseth wrote: »
    Kalikel wrote: »
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    Kalikel wrote: »
    The runners are usually very lean. Serious runners, anyway.

    This is not true. I know serious runners who are not "very lean", and even who are overweight. I know, I was one of them (overweight and a serious runner). ;)
    How fat do you think most serious runners are? Like overweight or obese?

    In your experience.

    The argument here was that poster said "all walkers and endurance runners are lean."

    I'd agree that MANY are. But not all. Walking and running don't make you lean and there are plenty of people who are overweight and achieve great runs while still overeating and carrying extra weight.

    No, I said that serious runners are usually very lean. That poster has disagreed because in his experience, serious runners are usually not very lean.

    I have no intention of arguing with either answer. I'm just interested about his experience with these non-lean, but serious runners.

    We all have different experiences.

    Like you, my experience has been that when a person is a serious runner, they'll almost always have a very lean body.
  • msf74
    msf74 Posts: 3,498 Member
    Kalikel wrote: »
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    Kalikel wrote: »
    The runners are usually very lean. Serious runners, anyway.

    This is not true. I know serious runners who are not "very lean", and even who are overweight. I know, I was one of them (overweight and a serious runner). ;)
    How fat do you think most serious runners are? Like overweight or obese?

    In your experience.

    By "serious" do you mean "competing" (in other words winning podium places in races?)
  • kk_inprogress
    kk_inprogress Posts: 3,077 Member
    Kalikel wrote: »
    kkenseth wrote: »
    Kalikel wrote: »
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    Kalikel wrote: »
    The runners are usually very lean. Serious runners, anyway.

    This is not true. I know serious runners who are not "very lean", and even who are overweight. I know, I was one of them (overweight and a serious runner). ;)
    How fat do you think most serious runners are? Like overweight or obese?

    In your experience.

    The argument here was that poster said "all walkers and endurance runners are lean."

    I'd agree that MANY are. But not all. Walking and running don't make you lean and there are plenty of people who are overweight and achieve great runs while still overeating and carrying extra weight.

    No, I said that serious runners are usually very lean. That poster has disagreed because in his experience, serious runners are usually not very lean.

    I have no intention of arguing with either answer. I'm just interested about his experience with these non-lean, but serious runners.

    We all have different experiences.

    Like you, my experience has been that when a person is a serious runner, they'll almost always have a very lean body.

    Sorry, my bad. The conversation started WAY before that and I wasn't referring to you. It was another poster that said what I quoted. I would agree that most serious runners are lean. Key word being "most."
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    msf74 wrote: »
    Kalikel wrote: »
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    Kalikel wrote: »
    The runners are usually very lean. Serious runners, anyway.

    This is not true. I know serious runners who are not "very lean", and even who are overweight. I know, I was one of them (overweight and a serious runner). ;)
    How fat do you think most serious runners are? Like overweight or obese?

    In your experience.

    By "serious" do you mean "competing" (in other words winning podium places in races?)
    A serious runner, the kind of person who runs a lot and would call themselves "a runner." Most of them enter races. Most of them don't win.

    It is a big part of their life. They take it seriously and are serious about it. They're runners.

  • griffinca2
    griffinca2 Posts: 672 Member
    The only thing getting strengthened is the heart along w/some endurance. Sorry to disappoint, but walking is NOT strength training.
  • msf74
    msf74 Posts: 3,498 Member
    Kalikel wrote: »
    msf74 wrote: »
    Kalikel wrote: »
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    Kalikel wrote: »
    The runners are usually very lean. Serious runners, anyway.

    This is not true. I know serious runners who are not "very lean", and even who are overweight. I know, I was one of them (overweight and a serious runner). ;)
    How fat do you think most serious runners are? Like overweight or obese?

    In your experience.

    By "serious" do you mean "competing" (in other words winning podium places in races?)
    A serious runner, the kind of person who runs a lot and would call themselves "a runner." Most of them enter races. Most of them don't win.

    It is a big part of their life. They take it seriously and are serious about it. They're runners.

    In that case there are plenty of serious runners who are far from lean and fall into the overweight category. Obese, not so much.

    The front of pack is generally very lean though. Middle of the pack and the back there is a mix of body types.
  • juggernaut1974
    juggernaut1974 Posts: 6,212 Member
    How fast does one have to walk to be considered running? Or conversely, how slow does one have to run to be considered walking?
  • jodybo2
    jodybo2 Posts: 116 Member
    I was just thinking the other day about when my cast was removed from my leg after being enclosed for 2 months. That leg had no muscle definition compared to the other. It looked scrawny, white, and hairy. haha. As soon as I began walking on it, the muscle quickly returned to the normal size. So.... ? Thoughts?
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  • stealthq
    stealthq Posts: 4,298 Member
    edited August 2015
    ceoverturf wrote: »
    How fast does one have to walk to be considered running? Or conversely, how slow does one have to run to be considered walking?

    It isn't an issue of speed, it's an issue of gait. If you're 'walking' and there's a point at which both feet are off the ground at the same time, you're not walking, you're running (or jogging, which just a slow run). You have to have at least one foot on the ground at all times for it to be walking.

    ETA: Elite speed walkers travel faster than most people's slow to moderate running speed. Some beginning runners run slower than my fast walking speed.
  • mitch16
    mitch16 Posts: 2,113 Member
    Furbuster wrote: »
    Thankyou for your help - I'll start that - I've always been a bit shy of doing squats in case my meniscus tears even more. I'll start carefully and see what happens.

    Plus more uphill, and yes I do cycle but I generally have two dogs on the back and so I have an electric bike as my legs can't get uphill yet ;)

    Thankyou again

    FB x

    Oh, I meant on a stationary/spinning bike at the gym--again, something my PT had me doing before she'd let me start running again. And for squats--not necessarily ATG squats--personally I like using the TRX for bodyweight squats. Do you have access to a physical therapist to maybe go over a safe workout plan?
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    ceoverturf wrote: »
    What if I just want to TONE my legs? I mean I don't want to get big and bulky like a bodybuilder. Then would walking work for me?

    I have to be careful not to walk too much. I build muscle very easily. If you don't want big muscle-y legs, you might want to invest in a scooter.
  • juggernaut1974
    juggernaut1974 Posts: 6,212 Member
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    ceoverturf wrote: »
    What if I just want to TONE my legs? I mean I don't want to get big and bulky like a bodybuilder. Then would walking work for me?

    I have to be careful not to walk too much. I build muscle very easily. If you don't want big muscle-y legs, you might want to invest in a scooter.

    Oooh...great tip, thanks!

    Would you recommend I buy one of those that are advertised during "Matlock" & "Murder, She Wrote" re-runs, or can I just go unplug one from my local Wal-Mart and drive it home?
  • kk_inprogress
    kk_inprogress Posts: 3,077 Member
    ceoverturf wrote: »
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    ceoverturf wrote: »
    What if I just want to TONE my legs? I mean I don't want to get big and bulky like a bodybuilder. Then would walking work for me?

    I have to be careful not to walk too much. I build muscle very easily. If you don't want big muscle-y legs, you might want to invest in a scooter.

    Oooh...great tip, thanks!

    Would you recommend I buy one of those that are advertised during "Matlock" & "Murder, She Wrote" re-runs, or can I just go unplug one from my local Wal-Mart and drive it home?

    Definitely WalMart. You want that extra calorie burn getting it home.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    edited August 2015
    Kalikel wrote: »
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    Kalikel wrote: »
    The runners are usually very lean. Serious runners, anyway.

    This is not true. I know serious runners who are not "very lean", and even who are overweight. I know, I was one of them (overweight and a serious runner). ;)
    How fat do you think most serious runners are? Like overweight or obese?

    In your experience.

    How are you defining "serious runner"? It's not uncommon for runners to need to lose weight (articles about losing weight are popular topics in running magazines)--obviously successful elite runners are lean, but I wouldn't define the category of "serious runner" that narrowly, and it wouldn't be relevant to almost anyone here.

    And clearly lots of people who walk are fat.