Walking a form of cardio?

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Replies

  • darknight13
    darknight13 Posts: 3
    Walking is a from of cardio, no matter how low level it may be for some folks. For those starting out walking is great and does help. So keep up the good work.
  • ReinasWrath
    ReinasWrath Posts: 1,173 Member
    Of course!! It is great for you and if you ever get bored or want to amp it up later on there are tons of things you can do to up the intensity.
  • scubasuenc
    scubasuenc Posts: 626 Member
    If you walk fast enough it can be a good form of cardio. I can get on a treadmill or walk in very hilly terrain and get my heartrate into my target range.

    I've found my FitBit to be a great walking motivator. For example yesterday I rode my recumbent bike for 45 min and burned 666 calories. I also walked a fair amount shopping and took a walk around the neighborhood. By the end of the day I'd burned another 443 calories (MFP FitBit adjustment) primarily from walking.

    Walking might not help you build muscle definition, but it can help you burn calories and lose weight. If that is all you can or want to do at this point, go for it.
  • snowflake954
    snowflake954 Posts: 8,399 Member
    You won't get abs from walking...

    I got news for you honey--we're not all interested in "abs"
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    There is a difference between "activity" and "exercise". Activity is any sustained movement. Exercise is an activity performed at a sufficient intensity, frequency, and duration to increase physical fitness (muscle strength or VO2max).

    All exercise is "activity" but not all "activity" is exercise.

    An activity such as walking CAN be "exercise" if it is done at a sufficient intensity, frequency, and duration. Otherwise, it is not.

    "Activities" burn calories too, and if performed with enough volume, can significantly contribute to a calorie deficit. So, one does not have to "exercise" in order to lose weight.

    Activity can contribute to increased health benefits, even if it is not performed at an "exercise" threshold.

    Walking, even at brisk speeds (i.e. 4.0-4.2 mph)on level ground is a relatively low-intensity activity. Because of that, for younger people, or after a beginning phase, it is often not enough of a stimulus to result in sustained fitness benefits (walking intensities range from 2-4.5 METs, which means that only those with a VO2max of 6-9 METs are likely to get fitness improvements from walking. Even an unfit person under 30 is likely to have a VO2max of 8-10 METs.

    Someone who is obese will work harder than a lighter individual, even if both are walking the same speed. Hills can also make a substantial difference.

    Bottom line, the answer to the OP question is "yes, but only if the intensity is > 50% of the person's VO2max". However, saying that walking at a particular speed is not "exercise" for a given individual does not in away diminish the benefits of activity--esp for someone just starting out.
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    You won't get abs from walking...

    I got news for you honey--we're not all interested in "abs"

    If you lose body fat, it doesn't really matter what you do to lose it. If you have the musculature, you will see the abs.

    The OP was simply asking if she can log the calories of her walking that she just happened to do, so that she could eat a bit more calories.

    And of course, seeing abs is not everyone's goal.
  • brianages
    brianages Posts: 49
    It has worked well for me. I use runtastic.com and use their app to log distance, calories, and time. It works with mfp. I do 100 miles per month and have fun.
  • eldamiano
    eldamiano Posts: 2,667 Member
    You won't get abs from walking...

    I got news for you honey--we're not all interested in "abs"

    Honey? Stop flirting. There's a perfectly good place for that but it's not on here...
  • Aleta7
    Aleta7 Posts: 92
    What? Please.... walking is ONE of the best exercises out there. The amount you burn will depend on how fast you walk and how much you weight.
    It may not be the best for certain things, but it really is a good way to burn calories. Continue walking, you'll like yourself for it
    [/quote] This
  • yogicarl
    yogicarl Posts: 1,260 Member
    for a 200lb person,

    a 5 mile walk at an average pace burns about 530 calories

    a 5 mile run at an average pace burns about 790 calories

    they are both workouts, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.

    So the difference between a run and a (brisk) walk of the same distance is the calories of an average cookie? Hey, I'm going for the walk!
  • MissSaturday
    MissSaturday Posts: 784 Member
    Walking is Cardio and it is a great workout for everybody . I found out that walking my HR reaches 188 while even doing insanity can't go up there... Find your limits then you will see that as soon as your body gets used to it you can increase speed until you can incorporate even some running..
  • sussexbythesea
    sussexbythesea Posts: 1,336 Member
    There's other things you can that will be faster and more efficient...like sleeping...




    but if you're burning cals, might as well log it

    I don't understand why you are so dismissive? Not everyone is suited to the gym and might need something free, outdoors and easy to fit into their new lifestyle.. Walking is the only exercise I have done along with calorie counting and at 100 cals per mile burn when I was heavier it was well worth it. For fast walks see Leslie Sansone on youtube. I really enjoy incorporating into my daily routine now and I was right couch potato.
  • MissSaturday
    MissSaturday Posts: 784 Member
    for a 200lb person,

    a 5 mile walk at an average pace burns about 530 calories

    a 5 mile run at an average pace burns about 790 calories

    they are both workouts, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.

    So the difference between a run and a (brisk) walk of the same distance is the calories of an average cookie? Hey, I'm going for the walk!

    Nope it not a cookie it is the afterburn.. more the intensity and greater will be the calories burned in the afterburn effect.
  • MaryJane_8810002
    MaryJane_8810002 Posts: 2,082 Member
    You are joking right? Of course its cardio, you can even log it too!

    tumblr_myfj47Oapm1qewacoo1_500.gif
  • Sreneesa
    Sreneesa Posts: 1,170 Member
    Anyway,,,, to some of you acting all snobbish and s*** !

    Yes walking vigorously, fast paced, up hills, distance, and you may even skip every so often, or carry hand weights, to up intensity is cardio activity and you will lose weight!

    Always research stuff out and do not take what any of us says at face value.
  • snowflake954
    snowflake954 Posts: 8,399 Member
    You won't get abs from walking...

    I got news for you honey--we're not all interested in "abs"

    Honey? Stop flirting. There's a perfectly good place for that but it's not on here...

    Not flirting, I just think that the fixation on "abs" especially by the "guys" is a bit much. They don't turn me on a bit. My husband is a walker and we walk for hours--he has a great bod.
  • marsellient
    marsellient Posts: 591 Member
    If you want to feel good about walking, or any other form of activity, go to YouTube and look for a video called 23 1/2 hours.
  • peggyalex
    peggyalex Posts: 174 Member
    walking can be a HELL of a workout all depends on how hard you go at it and actually I have ran and walked and only burn about 100 cals less walking than running the exact same distance...........much better on your joints also than running.........do what you like and the Heck with the nay sayers! thats how I lost my first 50lbs is walking so please tell me again how it isn't a workout..............
  • EvelynBfly78
    EvelynBfly78 Posts: 240 Member
    I am generally not one to exercise so walking is all I do. I started with my dog for about 15 mins 3 times a day at slow speed. We have increased our speed & distance & still stayed at 20 mins twice a day & then 40 mins once a day. Every day I try to go further. Some days I go farther than others. Going from 0 to walking over an hour per day is an accomplishment for me.

    OP--walking is good for you. Do what is best for you. If that's the only exercise you do, it's better than nothing. Besides, it's FREE. Some of us don't have the $$ to join a gym or the room to have a treadmill at home.
  • eldamiano
    eldamiano Posts: 2,667 Member
    You won't get abs from walking...

    I got news for you honey--we're not all interested in "abs"

    Honey? Stop flirting. There's a perfectly good place for that but it's not on here...

    Not flirting, I just think that the fixation on "abs" especially by the "guys" is a bit much. They don't turn me on a bit. My husband is a walker and we walk for hours--he has a great bod.

    Your husband is a walker? Thought for a minute you were going to say something else then.

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