Excersice question

rw4hawks
rw4hawks Posts: 121 Member
edited October 5 in Fitness and Exercise
When your body is used to harder or more intense workouts, do you get any benefits from a slow walk? I walked with my Mom yesterday for 40 minutes at a slower pace, which I logged, but it just didn't seem like i was getting a workout. What do you think?

Replies

  • asyouseefit
    asyouseefit Posts: 1,265 Member
    When taking a brisk walk you're in the healthy heart rate zone (50% to 60% of HRmax). You're not getting an intense work out but still improving fitness and burning fat!
  • What I was told by my trainer was that any cardio is good. I do a lot of walking at work at a slower pace then when I work out so I got a pedometer to track steps, distance, and calories burned and will be adding them accordingly. You may want to try something like that.
  • Puffins1958
    Puffins1958 Posts: 614 Member
    To me, any workout that you do, will be some sort of benefit. Even though you walked with your Mom and at a slower pace.... I see that better than sitting on the couch with a bag of chips, see what I mean. You were out walking, instead of SLOUCHING!!!! Good job :)

    12117749.png
    Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Calorie Counter
  • rw4hawks
    rw4hawks Posts: 121 Member
    Thanks for the explanation. I thought it should help, but then I start second guessing myself!
  • MrsJax11
    MrsJax11 Posts: 354 Member
    I have read somewhere that the length of time you work out is more important that intensity (as long as your heart rate is elevated above the sitting rate)...so if I can walk for an hour and half at 3 mph it is better for me that half an hour at 4mph, and I will burn more calories in the end...
  • deathstarclock
    deathstarclock Posts: 512 Member
    The "fat burning zone" is a myth.

    Any activity is better than no activity, provided that it is done in a safe and proper manner. Walking doesn't burn that many calories unless the duration is increased. If you can tolerate it, you can try increasing the intensity and reducing the amount of time spent doing cardio.

    Example from my NCSF personal trainer textbook:

    3 mph walking @ 30 minutes = 117 kcal expended, 64 fat kcal expended
    6 mph running @ 30 minutes = 357 kcal expended, 117 fat kcal expended.

    The elevated intensity burns more calories, and consequently more fat. It also increases post-exercise metabolism.

    Ultimately, lower intensity exercise is safer because when you increase the intensity, you increase the risk of injury. If you have all the time in the world to spare, then by all means walk for as long as you feel.
This discussion has been closed.