Is walking a legitimate exercise?

Walking is one of the best exercises.

Define "best" and in what context?

Because pace will usually max out at some point just because of limits of walking speed.

If weight keeps dropping, the exercise actually becomes easier and easier, less than maintenance you might say.

Do that as your only workout, and you'll actually lose cardio function.

Akin to taking weight off the bar and saying you are still lifting in a beneficial way - never mind the fact you'll eventually lose muscle to meet the needs of your new load.

I would define it as "one of the best" because it can be done almost anywhere, by almost anybody, at any level of fitness, and with minimal equipment required. It can be tailored to whatever the person's fitness needs are. Its only drawback is the time required for those at a high level of fitness.

I would define it as "one of the best" because it can be done almost anywhere, by almost anybody, at any level of fitness, and with minimal equipment required. It can be tailored to whatever the person's fitness needs are. Its only drawback is the time required for those at a high level of fitness.

A serious drawback--and I'm hardly at a "high" level of fitness--is that walking on a flat surface doesn't get my heart rate into the aerobic zone. Increasing the duration unfortunately doesn't increase its intensity. To improve or even maintain my aerobic potential, I require higher-intensity activities.

Depends on the terrain and speed of walking. I just walked an hour with my dogs at a fast pace and I definitely got as good of a workout as I got from running a few days ago. Also, last weekend I walked in rough terrain and even though the distance and time wasn't that long it was a serious workout. You can also walk with a backpack to increase the intensity. Try walking 12 miles with a 40 lb pack and you'll know what i mean.

Depends on the terrain

That's why I stated "on a flat surface". The walking paths nearest me are sidewalks or asphalt or dirt with very slight hills--and I've taken those many times at maximum pace without getting my heart rate up.

Obviously, hiking up the Grand Canyon was a more intense experience. A heavy pack does up the intensity, but also the impact, which is why I've found the best cardio for me to be cross-trainers and bikes.

Definitely yes. If you set time aside from normal daily activity and go for a walk I count that as exercise. Walking is a great natural way to exercise, it's free and gives you time to think and daydream. If you want to challenge yourself more try power walking.

Yes of course, walking is a legitimate exercise because i have lost 40lbs by walking and it can be more helpful if you will take herbal tea with it:)

I was in the gym quite a lot and kept getting knee injuries. I started walking daily around 10 weeks ago and only go in the gym twice a week. I Walk for 60 mins per day at 4.5 mile an hour and the change in my body shape is brilliant. Walking is the way forward for me! I've lost nearly 14lbs since january and got about another 10lbs to go
It also keeps my knee problems under control

I walk a hell of a lot of km's a day. Today it's 15 miles. Tomorrow it will be about the same..... Sunday I'll be doing 112km at least.... so that's about 70 miles.

Walking is a legit exercise & people who say it is not are just stupid, lazy & want you to give up.

No. Do proper exersice, unless it's walking up hills or power-walking. They have their place.

'scuse me? Proper exercise? Read my post above this one. Tell me then that it's not proper exercise. I can happily lose weight and maintain on walking alone. This is no hills & no power walking.

You have a thing about getting the heart rate up before it's legit? No way. I can lift & not break a sweat.... guess it's not legit.

I'm sick and tired of people saying "walking won't get you in shape", and "that's not exercise". What's your view on this subject? I walked two miles today. Was that exercise?

Yes walking is exercise. The best exercise is the one you will do

Anyone who mocks walking as an exercise I think is just uninformed.

If you have some pounds to lose really all it takes is adding a morning walk to your routine and paying attention to your calories. You don't have to break a sweat to be exercising, your aerobic range includes heart rates that are not going to make you pant and sweat.

Most weight I have ever lost in a short time I lost doing nothing for exercise but walking.

This!

No. Do proper exersice, unless it's walking up hills or power-walking. They have their place.

For me there are two types of walking:

Unconsious walking: The walking I do in my day to day life - the slow mundane walking to my car, walking around my workplace and around the supermarket. ect etc. This I do not count as exercisedoesnt make me break a sweat or challange me in anyway.
~and~
Consious Walking: The walking I do that is out of the ordinary - the quick paced walking like when I walk up the canal or around the nature reserve or up the hills in the peak district. This I do count as exercise because by the time I get back to my car, I am hot, sweaty and my muscles are anywhere between slightly achey or screaming.

I've lost the majority of my weight through walking. Since it works for me, I couldnt really give a flying doughnut if someone tells me its not an legitimate exercise and I should be doing <insert exercise here>.

Find what works for you, if you enjoy walking and you are losing weight stick with it.

Everyone has their opinion on this, and I think sometimes that opinion comes from where people are in their health journey. For me, I categorize walking as an activity, but not exercise. It's there with house cleaning and gardening. Those are activities, not exercise. But, that's just me. Don't worry about other people and do what you want. I go for walks sometimes. There are mental benefits to walking.

Just curious - what is your definition of exercise and what would preclude walking from it?

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