Ace-Walking

8 ways to maximise on walking

Boost your health by hiking at home

We all know that cardiovascular exercise is good for us. It is recommended to build around 30 minutes of cardio training into our schedules, five days per week. However, many of us are failing to get even close to that. You don’t need to be a fitness fanatic to reap the rewards, and having a equipment at home could certainly help make the idea of doing 30 minutes of activity each day during the winter a little less daunting. Lack of time is often cited as the main reason for not moving more, so making exercise accessible and easy is a no-brainer for those who want to stay healthy for decades to come. A home treadmill can be a great option. Even if you (or your joints) hate running, the adjustable speed and incline options on a treadmill makes it the ideal piece of kit for power walking. What’s more, strolling at pace uphill can boast great fitness benefits. Don’t believe it? Here are eight reasons to give treadmill hiking a go.

1. Heart health

Cardiovascular exercise is great for the ticker! Regular hikers significantly reduce their chances of heart attack, stroke and other chronic diseases. Improved heart health, simply means living a longer life – who would say no to that?

2. Happiness

Have you ever heard of a “runner’s high”? The same applies to walking. Cardiovascular activity releases feel-good chemicals into the brain, giving your mood an instant lift. Want to feel happier? Walk on your treadmill for just 30 minutes to feel the benefit.

3. Accessible workout

Walking is the most accessible type of workout there is, anyone can take it up with little or no experience or guidance needed. As well as burning lots of calories, you also build muscle mostly in the lower body. There’s no need to go outside if the weather conditions aren’t great. Stay sheltered and get your miles in on a treadmill.

4. Easy on the joints

The cushioned belts of the treadmill are much more forgiving on the joints compared to hiking outside on the hard concrete or pavement. There is a much lower impact on the body as a whole if you walk on a treadmill, making it a good choice for your joints. You’ll thank us later in life for that tip!

5. Less risk of injury

Walking outdoors on uneven or rocky terrain puts you at risk of slipping or falling. If you’re recovering from an injury, running on a treadmill is also a great way to rehabilitate and avoid muscle wastage whilst you’re recovering – as long as you take it easy.

6. Walking is cheap

Investing in a treadmill at home may seem like a big outlay of funds, however, in the long-run you will be making a massive saving. Gym fees rack up year on year but a treadmill usually lasts for approximately a decade – you can do the calculation!

7. Time to think

Walkers often say they find going for a stroll therapeutic. Getting on the treadmill for half an hour is a great time to think and reflect on things in your life. It can often be the only time you get in a day to really get lost in your own thoughts.

8. Indoors vs outdoors

Many debate whether hiking on a treadmill versus walking outdoors is harder. It’s actually very similar – the trick here is to set your treadmill at a slight incline to mimic the difficulty level and energy expenditure of running outdoors, then you’re set to go!