For those of you that power walk-do you consider this your workout for the day?When i power walk i usually do 4 miles -pushing a double stroller-and most of the time i also do a workout.I just was going to see if any walkers here thought that was a good enough cardio workout??
Power walking...
- Thread starter lorren05
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maddiesmum
Cathlete
When I power walk, on the treadmill, between 6-7 miles total, at speeds of 5 - 5.4 mph, with maybe incline intervals for extra cardio boost, then yes, I consider that my workout for the day.
It all depends on what time you have available, what your goals are, where your energy levels are at, and how easily your boredom threshold is reached. I can't workout more than once per day. I get bored too easily, plus there's just too many other demands from family upon my time.
Go in, work out as hard as you can, get out and be satisfied that you have done your workout for the day. That's my policy. There's so much else to do in life besides working out, don't let it become too all-consuming.
Clare
It all depends on what time you have available, what your goals are, where your energy levels are at, and how easily your boredom threshold is reached. I can't workout more than once per day. I get bored too easily, plus there's just too many other demands from family upon my time.
Go in, work out as hard as you can, get out and be satisfied that you have done your workout for the day. That's my policy. There's so much else to do in life besides working out, don't let it become too all-consuming.
Clare
I think walking/power walking is very under-rated! I have done alot of Cathe workouts and have done rotations since February of this year and I really started to miss walking. I think when I power walk (I do approx 4 miles also) I work alot muscles I don't hit otherwise - it just feels different. Does that make sense? I get a really good workout power walking, so depending on time and what my rotation calls for I may just use it as a workout. For example: Monday's rotation calls for 45 minute steady state run, I'll probably walk for an hour and that will be it (as I have to work Monday). If I was off, and the rotation called for PUB, I may walk too! Hope that helps!
nancy324
Cathlete
lorren, I've said this many times before, but I think it depends upon what your HRM says. Power walking is my ONLY cardio, but I'm on a treadmill with my heart rate soaring as high as 160 mph (pretty high for a 51-yr. old). For faster songs, I'm doing a lower incline, and for slower songs, I'm doing a higher incline. I've tried a lot of different cardio, and walking has always worked best for me.
So, strap on your HRM and let it be your guide!
So, strap on your HRM and let it be your guide!
nancy324
Cathlete
"Better"? In my opinion, anything that gets your heart rate up into your cardio target zone and allows it to stay there for as long as you need it to is good cardio. Having said that, however, I've been power walking for more than 25 years and I have never sustained a single injury of any kind. I can't even count all the people I know who do higher impact cardio who have been injured in some way. In short, IMHO, walking is just safer.
SRP
Cathlete
Nancy - you've never sustained a single injury? Do you walk outside or only on a treadmill? For a while I tried power walking, and guess what happened? Shin problems. Imagine that. I'm pretty sure it was shin splints, I think because of the angle that my heel strikes the ground. My foot is pretty sharply flexed.
I gave it up because of that, and because I was always too tempted to break into a run. Gosh, I miss running.
I gave it up because of that, and because I was always too tempted to break into a run. Gosh, I miss running.
nancy324
Cathlete
Shannon, I only walk on the treadmill. Walking outdoors is not cardio for me, as I can't control the incline. Interesting that you were injured walking. It's certainly not impossible, but I think it's less likely that you can injure yourself walking.
I started when I lived at home. My mom and I used to race walk in the park for about two miles after we came home from work. I kept it up after I left home, and added music. After a while, I was not challenged by walking outdoors and looked for steep hills. Then I found the treadmill and loved it.
I started when I lived at home. My mom and I used to race walk in the park for about two miles after we came home from work. I kept it up after I left home, and added music. After a while, I was not challenged by walking outdoors and looked for steep hills. Then I found the treadmill and loved it.
I consider walking a supplement to my aerobic workouts. What I've been doing lately is getting up and walking for 20-30 minutes in the morning, then I do a step or weight routine after work. I end up getting an hour or more a day of exercise.
I used to power walk religiously, but stopped when I had a case of bursitis in my hip. Step aerobics (without the step) seemed to be better for my hip, so I stopped walking. I recently injured my back and I couldn't do step aerobics for a while, so I started walking. The walking didn't hurt as bad and actually helped loosen up my back muscles, strengthening them. So, now the walking is kind of like therapy for my back.
I used to power walk religiously, but stopped when I had a case of bursitis in my hip. Step aerobics (without the step) seemed to be better for my hip, so I stopped walking. I recently injured my back and I couldn't do step aerobics for a while, so I started walking. The walking didn't hurt as bad and actually helped loosen up my back muscles, strengthening them. So, now the walking is kind of like therapy for my back.